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You've heard of the HUMVEE®, well now there’s a FIRE-V. FIRE-V stands for Fast Initial Response Emergency Vehicle and is one of the newest members of the Florissant Fire Protection District. An all volunteer rural fire department, the Florissant Fire Protection District is located in central Colorado and covers an area of 64 square miles of mountainous terrain. The FIRE-V fills a dual role of fire and emergency medical response using two modular units which are quickly interchangeable in the bed of this tough little ATV.
To outfit the fire module, the fire district worked with Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to obtain federal funding through the National Rural Fire Assistance Program. This program is designed to assist small rural departments that play a substantial cooperative role in the protection of federal lands. The fire module consists of a 65-gallon water tank, a compressed air-foam system, and a hose, tool, and equipment rack. The foam capability increases water efficiency by stretching the water volume and giving the water the ability to cling to surfaces better.
This self-contained go-just-about-anywhere vehicle is ideal for responding to remote lightning strikes where a fast response can make the difference between a small quickly extinguished fire and disaster. Jean Rodeck, Superintendent of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument comments, “We are proud to have such a progressive department helping protect the Monument.”
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