APPARATUS COMMITTEE
By Tim Porter
For most fire departments , one of the biggest capital purchase considerations — after the construction of fire stations — is for the various apparatus via which we conduct our business . San Bernardino County Fire commonly operates fire engines , aerial ladder trucks , paramedic squads , ambulances and chief officer sport-utility vehicles . In fact , SBCoFD operates 63 type 1 ( structural ) fire engines , 22 type III ( wildland ) engines and 10 truck companies . But the department also operates specialized equipment such as bulldozers , snow cats , fireboats and more . In total , SBCoFD operates 316 vehicles , including staff cars and support vehicles used by prevention , support services and administrative staff .
Overseeing all this is an apparatus committee representing both labor and management . Captain Mike McClintock and myself co-chair the committee , while Captain Darrell Feuerhahn , engineers Nate Lopez and Brian Wells , Support Services Division Manager Steve Jordan and Shop Supervisor Dale Sandoval complete the committee membership . The committee meets frequently throughout the year and discusses current and future purchases .
The committee has gone through some changes in the last few months , with the largest change being that members now have more of a say than ever in apparatus purchases . Assigned a specific vehicle type to oversee , each committee member serves as a point of contact between our floor members ’ interests and apparatus vendors . The benefit of this structure is that each member understands the applicable 100-plus page specifications document , as well as current issues and changes needed for future purchases .
In addition to the main committee members , subcommittees are now used for specialized apparatus such as fireboats , snow cats and fire camp vehicles . Each subcommittee consists of one apparatus committee member plus personnel from the division that is buying the specialized apparatus . For example , with the upcoming snow cat purchase in Division 4 , one member from the apparatus
committee will work with mountain division personnel who have knowledge of not only snow cat specifications but also the division ’ s geographic and operational needs . The subcommittee will perform research , work with vendors and spec the new snow cat . The final spec will come to the apparatus committee and assistant chief if necessary , for approval . Once approved the apparatus will go through the RFP , or bid process . Once the bid is awarded the apparatus will be ordered . The subcommittee will be involved in the entire process from start to finish .
Once a purchase has been finalized , committee members make at least two trips to the factory during the construction process . Three committee members go on each trip . Eventually , the entire committee and / or subcommittee is welcome to participate in the final inspection process , which ensures two important points . First , the division is ensured representation and offers input while the committee member is involved to answer questions and help the subcommittee move through the process . Second , in our organization we hear a lot about the need to establish succession planning . Involving a larger group in a purchase such as this ensures that more than just a few people understand the process of researching , designing , and ordering this equipment . This is important for the future success of the program .
Equipment that the apparatus committee has recently been involved with will begin showing up in 2017 . Two Pierce tiller-style aerial ladder trucks for Division 1 will be the first pieces of equipment delivered . The trucks will be followed up with KME type 1 engines . The type 1 spec was redesigned with the feedback that many of you gave the apparatus committee .
2017 will be a busy year for the apparatus committee as we continue to put a high priority on apparatus purchases . With the apparatus committee involvement we can be assured that SBCoFD personnel have a voice in the apparatus that is purchased . Our committee is committed to purchasing quality , cost efficient and functional fire apparatus .
Division Chief Tim Porter is currently assigned to County Fire HQ in San
Bernardino . Tim began his fire service career with the city of Victorville as a PCF before being hired full-time , serving there until that city ’ s transition to County Fire in 2008 . An EMT for 29 years , Tim has become involved in department activities including involvement in hiring , testing and development among other duties . He is co-chair of Ops Leadership and apparatus committees and serves as a liaison between County Fire and Victor
Valley College with for the firefighter internship program . He also runs transfer meetings , updates operations directives and supports several other organizations within the department .
Tim has been married for 26 years and has three children ; two boys , one daughter and one grandson .
Winter 2017 • FIREWIRE 5