Here's a good one for you Joe...
Yesterday I was out on my lunch break can came across the "Bad Boys of Metro"...yeah that's right, the monstrosity of a fire truck. I'm going to assume that they were simply practicing driving the thing and not just joyriding; however, my Albero like instincts took over (I'll call it AlberoSense) so I decided to follow to see this thing in action.
Well, I'd have to admit that the driver handled the truck pretty well. I only saw him tag 2 curbs for the approximately 10 miles that I followed it; however, he seldom turned right...and the majority of the ride was down Rt 50 and the Bypass...
Another interesting thing I noticed is that the truck was pulling off of Cypress street on to 50 East and lo and behold, the drawbridge was UP! Now I know that this was probably some training and wasn't an emergency, but if that truck had anywhere to go quick it certainly wasn't going to get there... It is a stupid location for the firehouse, but its not going to be moved so I think that the Drawbridge really needs to be on a schedule so that atleast the Fire Department can know when it is up and reroute.
What pisses me off more than anything about my adventures with the Goliathyesterday?!? We paid all of this money for this truck and its not even got brakes!!! That's right folks, I witness first hand our "heros" blowing through not one, not two, but three red lights (Lake Street, Mill Street, and Naylor Street)! I'm not talking just turned from yellow to red when crossing the stop line-I'm saying SOLID RED at least 100 ft prior to the interestion. No lights on, no horns, not sirens to let anybody know that they are going to wack them! THIS IS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE!!!!! That thing is not light by any stretch of the Imagination and if that truck struck a car in those intersections somebody is going to get killing-you know, Newton's Laws regarding motion and mass! If the brakes aren't good enought to stop that truck, then I suggest you return the truck for lack of performance!
Bottom line, if these "Bad Boys of Metro" need to get it together, get responsible and quit screwing the City over or somebody is going to get seriously injured! In addition, Joe, I snapped a few photos with my phone of the truck stuck at the bridge and a blurry one of the red light running. I'll send them to you tonight- I am carrying my digital camera with me at all times from now on. You a$$holes are being watched!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
30 comments:
I drove past it in the K-mart parking lot the other night. It's at least 10 times the size of my car, thought it looked awesome.
"and its not even got brakes!!!"
You must be joking or lack any knowledge of trucks and/or requirments to manufacture/modify such a vehicle.
The truck has brakes, and you can bet they have the capacity to stop it. While I don't totally agree with the purchase of the new truck, I get tired of reading complaints about the trucks abilites by persons with absolutley no knowledge of trucks.
Yes, they more than likely need to practice driving a truck of this weight and size, but do you really think a multi million dollar truck built by one of the most reputable companies in the buisness would sell it without proper brakes?
Until you have put the truck on a scale, measured the wheelbase, determined the bridge formula weight, and determined the axle/brake capacity, please don't say it has no brakes.
No I am not a city or fire dept. employee.
anonymous 10:22, they were being sarcastic about the brakes, hence not stopping at three traffic lights, GET IT NOW?
10:22 AM
Learn how to read.
Just some of those hot shot drivers that like to fly though town with sirens wailing scaring the hell out of other motorists and grinning from ear to ear !! I have seen this many times. I realize an emergency is what it is but use common sense so no one gets injured in the process !!!
Here we go.....making accusations (without evidence) and calling firefighters bad names.
What would happen if that firefighter was a dedicated individual that, doesnt play in any of the reindeer games, and does his job for the betterment of the community? Why does he have to be cast as an A_______.
Unless you know who was driving that piece and know how that person is. Dont call all firefighters a________.
MAW
There you go again, bashing someone who witnessed all of this and actually followed the truck around. Seems to be the author of this Post said he'd be delivering pictures this evening.
10:30
I have excellent reading comprehension skills, and I picked up the authors subtle, or should I say blatant sarcasm.
The author is suggesting that the truck is overweight or does not have the capacity to stop.
Do you fully comprehend my post?
Just making sure I understand...
The truck turned left off of cypress, ran the red light at lake st leaving them sitting at an already open draw bridge,waited for the bridge to close, crossed the bridge and then the ran mill st light a few feet later?
Seems odd
Joe,
I was driving the truck at 3:00pm doing my road driving course test. I don't know when this individual takes their 'lunch break' as this is when they claim to have seen the new ladder, but this is when I was in it. The bridge was not up for me as I proceeded to the Mill St. light from Lake St. I had to stop at the Mill St. light as it was red and there were cars in front of me. The lights at Division, Baptist, and Ward St were all SOLID green. The light at Naylor DID turn yellow as I passed through it but never turned red until I was through the intersection. I proceeded to the Bypass and continued to Snow Hill Rd. and exited coming back into town. The course brings you back to Main St. and then to 13 south. You go to Eastern Shore Dr. and down to College Ave. where the light was red and a LEGAL right turn on red was made after a stop. I continued to College and Camden Avenues where again the light was red and traffic was preventing me from entering the intersection. Once the light turned green I proceeded to the intersection and made a right-hand turn which is VERY TIGHT. I had to back up, and then make the turn. I did clip the curb with the rear tires, but I don't know who wouldn't, especially with a 53 foot truck at that intersection with cars in both lanes (that didn't move). I continued to South Blvd and back to Rt. 13 and up to Carroll St. The original course is supposed to take you back up Waverly Dr., however it is closed and this is the detour route. A left was made onto S. Division and then a right onto Rt. 50 and back to the Cpypress St. station. In conclusion, these are the FACTS. Keep in mind there are several people who took this truck out yesterday, none of them stated they did any of this and I can attest as the STATION OFFICER at Sta. 16 yesterday the Truck was not on the street between the hours of 1100am and approx. 130pm. I would like them to provide times so that we might clarify this matter aas well as add some credibility. If anyone has any questions for me the cell number is 443-614-1960.
Rob Frampton BS/NREMT-P
Acting Lieutenant
C-Shift
To 10:50 a.m. - No, you have it wrong there Mr. Fireman. The citizens are sick and tired of the fire departments antics. Seems all you guys wants to do is spend and play. Enough is enough already.
Thanks for sharing that Rob. I believe you as you are an honorable man.
Anon 10:22 AM,
I didn't literally mean that it had no brakes. Haven't you ever heard of the saying "I guess they didn't put turn signals on the model" when somebody fails to use their turn signals?? Its kind of the same thing, idiot...and I am quite sure that Pierce equiped the truck with the proper brakes, but usually I hear the excuse among large truck drivers that "the truck is too big to stop that quick" So I was trying to eliminate that excuse from the Fire Dept-they simply ran red lights, NO EXCUSES!!!
Anon 10:46 AM,
I would love to know the driver of the truck-there are probably only a very select few that have the ability and are allowed to drive the vehicle. We can probably narrow it down really quick to begin with, but if you would like to call out a single person so that I don't taint the whole department then be my guest! Until then, SFD is being cast as a bunch of A$$holes!
ANON 11:07 AM,
The truck turn left off of Cypress on to 50, was stuck in traffic on 50 between Cypress and Lake (about 2 car lengths from the Cypress intersection). The Bridge goes down, Traffic Moves and the truck runs through the Lake Street Light at about 15 mph. Then the truck proceded eastbound on 50 and when the Mill street light turned red the truck was just barely coming off of the grated section of the Drawbridge. It was traveling at an estimated 35-40 MPH. If you would like more details, ask the driver!
The point is, in an emergency situation, I don't care. But when the safety of other motorists are are risk then it becomes a problem. Not to mention we would like to keep our tax dollars in good working order...
Rob,
It was 2:17 PM when the truck was stuck between Cypress and Lake, and when I take my lunch break is up to me and not you.
About 5 or 10 minutes prior to that, I saw the truck on Division street turning left onto 50. I imagine the driver went back to Station 16 to get something or someone because I didn't see it again until it was stuck in traffic as stated-I was traveling with the truck from cypress all the way to the bypass. But I stopped at the red lights...
Then you sir, the author of this letter, are just as much an a_______ as all firefighters.
MAW
Over the next several days our members will be training with the new ladder on the road course. It is part of a three step process that all departmental Driver/Operators must go through. Drivers must demonstrate proficiency in operating the truck before being certified as a driver.
Salisbury goes to great lengths in training and certification of its drivers. Many other departments do not go through nearly as much, before turning a driver loose. It would amaze the average citizen what a firefighter has to do to become a Driver /Operator. In the end it is worth the wait and the finished product is a good one. I completed my test this morning and the truck handles great. The braking abilities were outstanding for a vehicle of this size.
I was working yesterday and the new truck was in quarters from 11am until 1:30. The truck went out with two of my best drivers and returned with no scrapes. However there was a scuff on the rear tire, I'll give you that one. That happens to the best of them. This is a great truck and a great asset to our department.
Thank You Bryan.
I will say, if I had to drive my 48 foot long Motor Coach anywhere around the City of Salisbury, my tires would have marks on them as well, no question about it. In fact, for what it's worth. The wheel base is so long on mind, one day we were simply pulling out of a shopping center with a bit of an incline and we scraped bottom coming out, damaging one of the basement doors. I was not a happy camper but stuff happens.
Joe,
I heard that the Parsonsburg boys had a water rescue this morning, and that a dog was saved.
Can you check into this and let us know the details?
Thanks
My mother was almost hit by one of the fire trucks yesterday in salisbury they didnt have any lights or sirens but she had just made a turn right as they were pretty much in her trunk!!! She never knew they were there until she felt a gust of wind push her car as it went by. its a priveledge to drive that thing dont over use it.
Well I am interested to know if either one of these boys have a Class A lic to drive that Beast....I am a "toy" person I got hard looking at that thing too...but I am sorry I too saw it on the bypass..as it passed me I was doing 70MPH.....What were you doing....BTW....I pay for my own gas too....and toys.....not the taxpayers
Swinglow - check the facts - it requires a Non-Comm Class B - http://www.mva.state.md.us/DriverServ/Apply/licenseclass.htm - JLJ
pierce builds the truck but not the brake system, i have not seen the truck up close or the specs but i imagine it is a rockwell or new term meritor brake system on the truck. along with the same driveline, frt and rear drivers and steer axle, i am sure the brake drums or in this case the heat sinks are really thick to absorb the heat from the friction the shoes emit to stop this massive truck. it could have disc brakes on it but in my experience with trucks this heavy with disc brakes the rotors never seem to last. also i am sure it is equipped with a engine retarderto help slow this truck down and cut down on the wear otf the brake shoes and drums.
I saw it today out on Rt 50. That is ONE BIG TRUCK! By the way...it was stopped at a red light so I got to look at it for a few instead of just in passing. How many miles to the foot does that thing get? lol Can't possibly ask MILES per gallon....
I am glad however that they are test driving it.
I saw it this morning, 02-25-09, at 9am on the money heading eastbound on RT 50 at Beaglin Park Dr. Just crusin.
Swinglow you need to learn the facts. Anon 5:03 you were close. Emergency vehicles in the state of MD can be driven on a class "c" license as long as the driver has completed an evo course. Emergency vehicle operator. The city of Salisbury requires it's drivers to acquire a non-commercial class "b" license. By the way swinglow that truck didn't pass you if you were doing 70 MPH. The fastest pieces in the city barely clear 70 MPH, the twins barely hit 75 MPH going downhill with a tailwind. The truck is geared for power, not speed and is not capable of such a speed. You need your eyes or your speedometer checked.
BIG WASTE OF MONEY! bottom line. i dont know why salisbury has fell in love with pierce equipment.theres a reason it carries the nickname pierce of s###.a lot of small towns and 100% volunteer companies who usually only have one or two pieces buy pierce. if you look a lot of cities nationwide dont use pierce.that truck is too big for salisbury i dont see the need for it. two trucks could have been purchased for that price. lets see it go down some of these tight streets with cars parked on both sides. sfd officials need to go take a tour in a baltimore city or county firehouse.maybe they will learn a thing or two.
you people crack me up!! You are putting down the people that may one day save your life!!! salisbury fire Dept keep up the good work. They are just hating on the nice ride you all are pimpin!!!!
A Paramedic from Salisbury, Brimer and A Volunteer Fire fighter from Salisbury, Fries , rescued a dog from a pond.
once you've driven a truck...what's the mpg on that puppy?
practice the new equipment functions, driving the thing will take care of itself
That Water Rescue Was Done By The ParsonsBurg SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM.!! My boys did well. They are highly trained. We can have an awards day now.
R.
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