VIDEO: The Tucson Fire Department is using a new vehicle to respond to calls more efficiently. The department deployed five peak volume trucks, or PVTs, in August. They are smaller vehicles and are sent to minor calls, leaving larger fire engines available for major emergencies.
“It’s all about the right resources in the right hands at the right times,” said Paul Moore, TFD assistant chief. The trucks have responded to 1,300 calls in the past nine months. The peak volume trucks carry most of the equipment found on larger fire apparatus, according to TFD firefighter Rae Southee.
“Probably the only things that are on the bigger apparatuses that we don’t have on here are gonna be sort of like our gas and electric powered equipment,” Southee said. Southee said the trucks have been used for traffic control, trauma response, and other calls. “I’ve pulled the cones out, blocked out traffic, used the splints on trauma patients and things like that as well,” Southee said.
While the trucks help free up the bigger fire engines for more major incidents, it also helps save money in certain areas. “What it does save is maintenance, wear and tear, and fuel on the big trucks. If I can keep that truck from rolling and roll this truck, it does save money,” Moore said. The smaller vehicles also allow crews to connect more closely with residents.
