RALEIGH - The newest piece of Raleigh Fire Department
apparatus made its debut this month when Field Command 1
arrived on scene at the Apex chemical fire October 6.
The 1988 GMC/Union City mobile command post had been placed in service just two weeks earlier.
Renovated from an empty extended panel van by fire department
members, FC1 was dispatched early into the incident.
Incident command personnel promptly relocated to the unit, which remained on scene for three days.
Officials made use of the unit's extensive equipment
including radio systems, television monitors, and a
printer-enabled whiteboard.
The red and white rig is a familiar piece of apparatus, originally serving as a combination command and mobile air unit.
It was placed in service on August 9, 1988 at Station 1 as Special Risk and
Incident Command Unit 1, or SR1.
The center section originally contained a carpeted command module with bench
seats and a table.
A cascade system with bottle racks was housed in the
rear.
SR1 was the Raleigh Fire Department's first mobile air unit.
Before then, a Six Forks Fire Department air trailer was
special-called when needed.
In a later decade, the unit was moved to Station 5 and
renamed SR5.
Replaced in 2002, the unit was converted to a haz-mat support
vehicle. The cascade system was removed and the empty van transported
haz-mat supplies.
In early 2006, it was released from haz-mat service, and work was started
to convert the vehicle to a needed mobile command post.
Over four months, firefighters remodeled the interior. After stripping the inside to the bare metal walls, insulated walls and a ceiling were installed.
Anti-static carpet was added to the ceiling, along with
red interior lights for night operation. Four
adjustable chairs roll on half-inch rubber flooring.
Multiple dry-erase surfaces are mounted on
walls and cabinet doors.
Three-quarters of the space serves as a command module, with the remaining space
as a galley and head.
External equipment includes six 500-watt
quartz scene lights, a 14-foot retractable awning, and a
step bumper with trailer hitch.
Powered with a 7,000-watt gas generator, the mobile
command post is
equipped with a 15,000 BTU heating and cooling system.
The command module is powered by a separate 12-volt
system. Multiple 12-volt and 120-volt outlets are present.
The vehicle can also be connected to a 220-volt external
power supply.
Command module electronics include a 60-inch Copy Board
with dedicated printer, a 36-inch chart plotter, and
two printers. Two laptop computers are pending.
Four flat-screen television monitors are installed, one
dedicated to a thermal imaging receiver.
A video switching control module connects the monitors to
a DVD player and a videocassette recorder.
Radio equipment includes VHF, UHF, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz
two-way radios, as well as connections for external and
satellite antennas.
Available radio channels include fire, EMS, law
enforcement, and utility company frequencies.
The head and galley, which includes a toilet and shower,
is equipped with a six-gallon
water heater, a 31 gallon water tank, and a 40-gallon waste
holding tank.
The head and gallery is also plumbed for for external hot
and cold water supply via decon equipment.
Underneath the vehicle, an exterior compartment holds 12
folding chairs and two folding tables.
For more information about Field Command 1, contact
Battalion Chief Frank
McLaurin.
