CFD Apparatus status discussion (Non-Radio Information)

[Ghostpolice24]

Tender 25 seems to now be the 2002 Sterling. I don't know if it's a spare though.

 

[RP201]

That also looks like a brand new truck too.

I didn’t see a scratch on it. I saw it when I pulled into the lot. I hopped out and snapped the pic, then had a quick look around. It’s fairly new, probably this year.

 

[255-Jacobs]

Tender 25 seems to now be the 2002 Sterling. I don't know if it's a spare though.

I'm pretty sure the Sterling runs as a spare. Maybe 25 will the 2000 Autocar Tender? It would make the most sense seeing as 21 now has the 1988 Tender.

 

[ENGINE_4]

That also looks like a brand new truck too.

CFD received 2 new fleet service trucks in 2020 along with a few pick up trucks

I'm pretty sure the Sterling runs as a spare. Maybe 25 will the 2000 Autocar Tender? It would make the most sense seeing as 21 now has the 1988 Tender.

You are correct! The Sterling runs as a spare tender, other then that it at training

 

[RP201]

Here is a stick.

 

[255-Jacobs]

Here is a stick. 0

Just found out that the Ex-Tower 25 (A1406 and what that Arrow XT in that photo has replaced) has been put up for auction on Calgary Surplus.
E4606 (Ex 3E and 36E) has also been put up for auction. It's gonna be pretty interesting to see where the old Tower 25 will end up. (Bet CFD brass is happy to be getting rid of it however, that beast had a lot of mechanical issues and cost a lot to maintain).

What strikes me as odd is that despite A1406 being put up for auction, its twin sister A0406 (31 Tower) is still kicking 2 months after A1406 was retired.
Perhaps CFD wanted to get a couple more miles on it before selling it? Or maybe there aren't spares that can take it's place. Either way it's gonna be replaced by one of the towers at the end of this month so it won't be CFD's issue for much longer.

 

[ENGINE_4]

CFD only has four? Spare ladders and are down to only two Towers.. I don't know if the brass considers the Towers to be "Special". I mean, the 105' rear-mounts are used on Tech Rescue calls too, so I don't know. It is sad to see the Bronto's pretty much gone though.

 

[RP201]

Four spare Ladders for a city this size, is pretty thin. With the three Towers and that rear mount straight stick coming online, it should reduce some of the pressure on the fleet. With such a shortage, I bet the remaining Bronto will stick around for a bit. Despite the age of Tower 19, is it possible they may keep it in front line service?

As a fairly new person to the thread, it appears CFD has placed a great deal of effort into the Pump (engine) fleet. Fortunately, the brass have turned their attention to simplifying the fleet, addressing the short staffed Ladders, and replacing the Rescue fleet with Ladders and not Quints. These Ladders will have a great deal of storage. They will easily replace the roll of the Rescue. Most of the Rescue gear will go to one of the Ladders.

By the way, Inspector 3 is still running out of the middle bay of Station 9.

 

[ENGINE_4]

I could see 19 Tower becoming a spare Tower, hopefully the new 105' Pierce is in service by August/September, maybe more will be delivered by then?

 

[255-Jacobs]

Currently there are three spare Ladders for CFD right now. The Serius, the 75' Arrow XT, and a 2011 Smeal Quint.

The Serius is being used by 34 Ladder right now. I'm unsure if 23 is still using the Arrow but based on the news reels from yesterday's fire in the East Village and other info they might have their main back. (23 Ladder was at last night's fire)
There is currently one more Smeal being used as a training piece at the academy, but maybe it could be used as a spare.

My worst fear right now is that with 9 Ladders and 2 Towers and only 3 Spares for the entire fleet, and with the summer nearing. (Summer is always a bad time for aerials. Mechanical failures and checkups happen more often then they should) I fear that the Calgary Fire Department could face a repeat of the Aerial crisis in 2008 when there were not enough spares to keep up with breaking down Aerials.

However, I did receive conformation that the new Towers and Ladders should go into service by the end of June. Most likely, taking 19 Tower and 31 Tower out of service and maybe used as spares (I highly doubt that would be the case for 31 Tower however) and another Ladder being replaced by a Tower (Probably 25 or a 2011 Smeal, 23 maybe?).

And, Ladder 1's 2005 rear-mount aerial most likely getting replaced by the 107' Ascendant rear-mount. CFD should probably have three or four more spares being added to the spare pool by the end of June. CFD could probably avert a repeat of 2008 and give A0406 the retirement she deserves.

Gonna start heading to 1 and 31 next week to see if any change occur with their Aerials. I'll try to keep ya'll updated. (Hoo boy! I spent way to much time typing this.)

 

[ENGINE_4]

I've been looking at the CFD station map and wondering where 21 Ladder companies would go based off of where current trucks are stationed and these are my predictions so far - 1,4(H),6,8,14,17(H),18,19,20,21,23,31,32,35,37,38(when completed),39(H),40,41,43(when completed),45(when completed)

H-(Hazmat station) Based off of current Hazmat stations, of course EVERYTHING could change in terms of where trucks/crews are deployed.

I picked 39 getting a Ladder based off of the Hazmat stationed there, 30 Boat could move back to 19. I don't know where the boat launches are in the south. Calgary Fire has some very interesting geography/logistic issues on where to put everything in the south, lol.

It will be interesting to see if CFD gets more Bush Buggies and how they staff/cross staff them, the same with the Aquatic units and possibly the Tenders?

Maybe a extra Rescue or two would be kept and cross staffed as a sort of back up tech team or support piece? (I'm thinking in terms of LAFD how they cross staff some of there USAR units) That would cost lots of money and time training, but it would be interesting to see.

Please share your thoughts though, I am curious

 

[ENGINE_4]

Currently there are 3 spare ladders for CFD right now. The Serius, the 75' Arrow XT, and a 2011 Smeal Quint. The Serius is being used by 34 Ladder right now. I'm unsure if 23 is still using the Arrow but based on the news reels from Yesterday's fire in the East Village and other info they might have their main back. (23 Ladder was at last night's fire) There is currently one more Smeal being used as a training piece at the academy but maybe it could be used as a spare.

My worst fear right now is that with 9 Ladders and 2 Towers and only 3 Spares for the entire fleet, and with the summer nearing. (Summer is always a bad time for aerials. Mechanical failures and checkups happen more often then they should) I fear that the Calgary Fire Department could face a repeat of the Aerial crisis in 2008 when there were not enough spares to keep up with breaking down aerials.

However I did receive conformation that the new towers and ladders should go into service by the end of June most likely taking 19 Tower and 31 Tower out of service and maybe used as spares (I highly doubt that would be the case for 31 Tower however) and another ladder being replaced with a tower (Probably 25 or a 2011 Smeal, 23 maybe?) and Ladder 1's 2005 rearmount aerial most likely getting replaced by the 107' Ascendant rearmount, CFD should probably have 3 or 4 more spares being added to the spare pool by the end of June, CFD could probably avert a repeat of 2008 and give A0406 the retirement she deserves.

Gonna start heading to 1 and 31 next week to see if any change occur with their aerials. I'll try keep ya'll updated. (Hoo boy! I spent way to much time typing this.)

If a similar Aerial crisis were to happen this summer, Engines would have to be cross staffed because there are not enough Bush Buggies to go around! haha

 

[Ghostpolice24]

Just to confirm, 23 Ladder IS their main rig again. As for where the new Ladders will go, it's hard to say, but 18 was always a great spot for one IMO and 45 possibly too, due to East Hills and Belvedere plus cross staffing.
A BB there would be useful due to grass fire chances in that area. Plus easy connection for north, south and a bit west (west because they can use the 17th Ave transit way)

 

[RP201]

Great things come from progress, and all the old school types hate the change.

I expect you will see all sorts of changes. In the post COVID reality, we could see limits on the number of staff in a hall. This would mean some serious changes to fleet dispersal.
With station 1 being broken up, basically E1 and L1 move to downtown Bridgeland, then open up station 3 with a pair of engines… or do we surround the core with ladders; 6, 2 and 3… move a high rise unit into 1? Then move E48 further out, say 5? Station 5 is off alone, probably a good candidate for a Ladder.

How about 11? That hall had a bucket in the past. Move the Technical Rescue back to 9? I love cross staffing specialty rigs! Personally the Rescue support units should reside with other hall’s associated with Heavy Rescue operations (Rescue Taskforce). A Ladder at 4 makes a ton of sense, a Ladder a 12 is a given.

I would like to see as many halls as possible with two pieces of equipment, Pump and Ladder, or two Pumps, Pump and Hazmat or Pump and Rescue. This would greatly benefit the public with most stations being staffed with eight firefighters.In the case of Pump and Hazmat, there would be seven.

The initial response to reported fire could be a two and one. (Two Engines and a Ladder) this puts twelve firefighters on scene. If the crews put in a worker, Dispatch can fill out the run with a third Engine, Support Unit, (second ladder for RIT) FRP, and a Hazmat, and of course two Districts and the boss, Battalion Chief.

This all points to better coverage for things like Bush Buggies, Water Rescue, Dive Rescue.

The one program that doesn’t get talked about much is the FRP units. I’ve seen something similar in Ottawa. They had a single ambulance that a firefighter would drive to any working job. It was removed and ambulance service was replaced by the municipal ambulance service.

Could CFD revisit these? Could we double up the crew, give them a light Rescue truck rather than an ambulance, maybe have three and run them like an MRU? Still respond city wide to workers? Kinda like Squad 51 from the TV show.

Once these new Ladders start entering the fleet, and with some new forward thinking leadership, we will start seeing many revisions.. Perhaps moves that will surprise us. Some will be politically motivated, or demographic, or urbanization and geography will determine where the stuff ends up.

It’s going to be interesting.

 

[255-Jacobs]

Is there enough space at 4 for a Ladder? I know a single axle Quint or Ladder could fit there, but I don't know about a tandem axle ladder. And A/L 4 already sits there, but that old beast will have to be retired one day. The brass could always replace it with a newer style Air/Light type truck.

Placing a ladder at 12 would make a lot of sense, seeing as one of the baby Bronto's and A0105 (Ladder 1) were there at different points. However, that would take away the East District's toolbox and God knows they need it, seeing as the NE is chockfull of MVCs (Bad NE drivers) and 27R and 10TR are a bit of a drive.

Maybe return a ladder to 39 Station and restore R0518 to it's former glory as Rescue 4 and retire A/L 4? (These new ladders will most likely be stocked with auto extraction equipment and other tools the rescues carried rendering this entire paragraph pointless ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

There are some places in this city that are just too slow for an Aerial and would be a waste of million dollar apparatuses. Mainly poking at newer halls in the quiet South such as 41 and 43. Or places to the West like 29 and 33. Or 44, for that matter. Newer communities are just a bit quiet to render the need for a Ladder as a secondary apparatuses. Time will tell where new Ladders will go and what happens to the Rescues.

2 HRS will probably stay where she is. 2 is a pretty great location and with easy access to 1 and 6's areas. 5 may get a Ladder seeing as there is space there, and I do remember hearing something about a Ladder going there (That was a while ago however)

11 will probably remain as the South Tech Rescue Hall seeing as both 10 and 11 are centrally located and close to downtown.

On an interesting side note, I was talking to a medic on 7 FRP and she told me that CFD brass is starting to lean towards the idea of creating an EMS branch for the CFD. Maybe one day we could see CFD running their own ambulances just like Red Deer and Lethbridge.

That would help take some of the strain off of AHS, but I don't know how they will secure the budget. (Maybe call on our good friends, the Provincial Gov't for help?)

 

[RP201]

That EMS story is really interesting. AHS has had a rough time in recent months. The budget for a Paramedic program would be huge. It could be done, basically the province would have to provide the current EMS budget to the city. CFD would have to create an office and hire staff. Calgary ran its own Ambulance service in the past, so it wouldn’t be too difficult. Between 44 stations and former stations owned by the city, they could probably provide better coverage.

With some vision and the right leadership, Calgary could build itself a world class Fire/EMS service.

You look at FDNY, Chicago FD, LA City FD Miami Dade, Winnipeg Fire and of course LA County FD.

I’ve read the Mayor and CFD brass have been concerned about delays and community outrage.

I really hope this happens.

 

[ENGINE_4]

I would LOVE to see CFD get EMS. Have a sort of LA City Fire/South Metro thing going on where FF-Paramedics have turnout gear and tools on the bus and can suit up and go into a fire. That would be amazing and that would really do wonders in the city, as long as there is enough FF-Paramedics and ambulances to go around

 

[255-Jacobs]

Seeing CFD with it's own EMS branch would be awesome and the city would benefit greatly from it and so would AHS's hard working paramedics that have to deal with this broken system. I have a feeling that with the success of the MRU program CFD has been given the idea that an EMS branch would be greatly benefitical for the both the Dept and the city.

Right now the biggest problem is securing the budget. Putting an ambulance or 2 (or 3 if it's 1 or 12 😂) in all 43 fire stations across the city is NOT going to come cheap. Just the cost of the ambulances alone is gonna cost millions and not to mention getting them equipped with the proper medical equipment and getting them staffed full time or even 12 hours is going to cost a butt ton.

And then there is the problem of getting the FFs getting the proper ALS certifications such as EMT-A and EMT-P is going to take some time and could cost some. (Maybe CFD could do the same thing as LAFD where they have both ALS ambulances and BLS ambulances like the 800 series ambulances in each hall?)

Either way it is going to cost a lot of money that I don't the CFD and city alone can provide which will probably mean we will most likely need some provincal funding (I hope Smith likes Calgary enough to fund an EMS branch for the CFD)

On an another side note the same paramedic off of 7FRP said that with the success of the return of MRU 1, CFD will be placing a second MRU back into service. I ask if it will go to 12 and she said yes. So MRU 12 is coming home baby! Woo!

 

[RP201]

The prospect of a US style Fire based EMS system is exciting and it will be a monumental task to set up, however the city has experience with running a successful EMS system. They would have to transfer all the AHS staff assigned to Calgary would have to transfer from the province to the municipality, which it’s self is going to be an epic headache merging the different union silos into IAFF. Then the medics that don’t want to be trained as firefighters will have to grandfathered. I am sure there are loads of firefighters not interested in medical work. So this will create a tiered salary system. Many US departments run Fire and EMS separately, which is a waste of resources, then LAFD has a scale, basically the more qualified you are, the more a firefighter is paid. Are they going to have paramedic 1, 2 and 3 levels?

Then there is the equipment, the province will have to transfer all the rigs associated with Calgary to city. Then the question, is CFD going to continue programs like tactical medics for the cops? There are other programs like bike medics, water medics, and the CVA program. (Stroke) I don’t know if AHS has a bus (not an FDNY “bus”) assigned to Calgary? MCI equipment trucks, trailers. Is Calgary going to have a critical care unit(s). Then there all the primary response units. They could replace the MRUs and for that matter the FRPs could and probably would be replaced. With a medic unit in every hall, I’m sure they will respond to workers to care for there coworkers. If CFD replaces the air light with a couple emergency support units (air, lights, high rise, underground, rehab, and other gear) do we staff them with medics?

Then the issue of jurisdiction comes into it. The AHS which is ultimately responsible for healthcare in the province will still have a say in minimum staffing and standards. So are medic units going to run into Bearspaw or Chestermere?

I know some departments when a paramedic calls in sick, the partner can run first response in an SUV or ride around on a engine with all there gear. Having a small fleet of light rescues like Vancouver just bought would be really cool. Overall I believe the residents of Calgary would benefit from this improved service and I doubt six year old girls that hit there head would have to get a ride to the hospital in Engine 6.

 

[RP201]

Hello,

I read something on Instagram. Apparently, station 45 is in operation...can anyone confirm this?
I’d go myself, but I’m visiting family in Ottawa.

Take care!