From Concept to Reality

Rosenbauer’s Tech Drive ’08 showcases the latest & greatest in apparatus innovation

Story and Photos By Bob Vaccaro

Rosenbauer America recently introduced Tech Drive ’08, the latest in a continuing yearly series highlighting apparatus innovations. Each year, Rosenbauer’s fire apparatus, equipped with the newest industry innovations, showcase the latest in technology at all the fire service trade shows around the country.

The Rosenbauer Tech Drive Series started back in 2005 and evolved from the company’s desire to increase its involvement in firefighter safety. From the beginning, they built trucks that could be used by firefighters on an everyday basis and incorporated various ideas that promoted firefighter safety into their design.

This year, what’s really cool about all the apparatus on display is that the company has installed every option and innovation that could ever fit on a fire truck. Showcased models include mini pumpers, midi-pumpers, WUI vehicles, 75' quints, rear-mount platforms and Rosenbauer’s new line of apparatus called the Revolution.

Rosenbauer aerial seat and joystick controller with feather-touch movements.

Some of the ideas and innovations incorporated into these vehicles include, but are not limited to:

Rear intakes and discharges for large-diameter hose;
Chevron striping;
LED lights;
Ladder access to hosebeds;
Front bumper monitors;
Rear-mounted pump panels;
Large compartments with easy access and slide-out steps;
RollTek occupant rollover protection and roll stability control;
An operator’s seat and joystick controls for aerial operation;
Easy access for maintenance of pumps and related controls;
Color-coded pump panels;
Ecco Smart back-up alarm systems;
Foam systems;
Flow meters;
Floodlights;
Front bumper crosslay preconnects;
Side- and rear-view cameras;
Dual-agent booster reels; and
Pump-and-roll capabilities.

The bumper monitor is operated from inside the cab.

Unique to Rosenbauer aerials is their Envelope Safety Protection System that prevents the aerial from coming in contact with the cab and body. The joystick controls can perform both out and down functions simultaneously and are electrically—not hydraulically—operated to provide smooth, feather-soft movements. The apparatus can also feature a remote-control aerial and nozzle that can be operated 300 feet from the vehicle.

When you first see these unique pieces of apparatus on the display floor, you’re immediately drawn to them because of their visible, unique features. If you look closer, which you should really do to fully appreciate the engineering that went into them, you can see a lot more of the ideas that were incorporated into their design.

Visit one of the fire service shows in 2008, and don’t miss the Rosenbauer Tech Drive ’08 vehicles. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed.

Bob Vaccaro has more than 30 years of fire-service experience. He is a former chief of the Deer Park (N.Y.) Fire Department. Vaccaro has also worked for the Insurance Services Office, The New York Fire Patrol and several major commercial insurance companies as a senior loss-control consultant.