E-ONE continues improvements to Air Force fire truck

  • Published
  • By Jess Echerri
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida --  Emergency services vehicle manufacturer E-ONE  demonstrated the latest updates to the Air Force's P-series fire trucks for Air Force Civil Engineer Center fire emergency services personnel here June 4.

E-ONE has added improvements for safety and user operability, as well as idle-reduction technology to reduce fuel usage.

A Vista cab display, designed by Weldon, gives the operator a "one-stop shop" for control of the truck, said Fred Terryn, AFCEC fire emergency services operations and fire truck program manager. The Vista display allows users to control the emergency and non-emergency lighting, the generator and other functions that previously required a full dashboard of switches and buttons.

The display has a text- or graphic-based interface with a door-ajar function that allows operators to easily see features such as the ladder rack, cab or compartment doors and other components that are opened or in an un-stowed position.

"The Vista display is a great system for the new generation," said Staff Sgt. Ashton Holloway, a firefighter at the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron at Tyndall. "It shows the timer for the new idle-reduction technology system, all the emergency lights and has a back-up camera."

The back-up camera allows the driver to see what is behind the truck without the use of side mirrors, adding an extra layer of safety to the spotter system currently in place.

In addition to many safety benefits, the technology is also expected to decrease maintenance requirements by reducing the amount of wiring harnesses on the truck.

Integrating operator controls into the Vista display also exchanges hardware for software, allowing for more flexibility in upkeep and updating. A USB port attached to the Vista display gives E-ONE technicians the ability to adapt to special requests and easily administer updates.

"The new trucks aren't going to have as many hardware features to serve as a failure point," said RJ Jones, an E-ONE sales representative.

Air Force firefighters have been driving the structural pumper fire trucks with idle-reduction technology since April 2014. Currently, the newest structural pumper fire truck is available for order to qualifying Air Force fire stations.