back to news releases

June 3, 2005
Shelley Szafraniec
Community Information Specialist

AIRPORT ACQUIRES NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FIRE VEHICLE

Airport firefighters from Volusia County Fire Services will train on a new all-terrain aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 5, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Daytona Beach International Airport Fire Station, 2316 Bellevue Ave., Daytona Beach.

The new Oshkosh Striker 3000© arrived in May and according to Volusia County Fire Services' Deputy Chief Stephen Plummer, the 3,000-gallon, state-of the-art vehicle will be a big asset in safely mitigating fires and other emergencies on aircraft.

"This vehicle will maximize our rapid response capability, while minimizing our firefighter's exposure to a fire on an aircraft," explained Plummer. "Not only can it work on terrain at a 30 degree angle, it also has an articulating boom that operates as a giant remote control arm to deliver water, foam, dry chemical or a combination of all three straight into an aircraft versus having to position firefighters on ladders with a hose onto the aircraft. The boom also has infrared and video cameras to help the operator assess the situation."

According to Plummer, Volusia County Fire Services is one of the few airport fire stations in the state to own this vehicle, since it only has been on the market since 2002.

"We are fortunate to be able to get this vehicle," said Plummer. "Working with our airport partners, we were able to offset 90 percent of the $778,000 cost for this vehicle with a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. The remaining 10 percent of the cost was split between the state and the county."

back to news releases

.