Summary
- HazMat1 is a new electric fire truck built by Rosenbauer on an International eMV chassis for the Cambridge Fire Hazardous Materials Task Force
- The use of electric fire trucks is beneficial for reducing harmful diesel emissions and providing a reliable vehicle for emergency responses
- Navistar Zero Emissions Customer Onboarding Manager trained Cambridge Fire on the benefits of electrification
- The International eMV chassis features a direct-drive electric motor, li-ion battery pack, and 135 miles of range
- HazMat1 replaced the department’s existing diesel hazmat rescue truck after being placed in full service this week
Article
The HazMat1 vehicle was built by Rosenbauer on an all-electric International eMV medium-duty chassis for the Cambridge Fire Hazardous Materials Task Force. It is the first such vehicle in New England and incorporates a mobile command post with an electronic research library to support hazardous materials incidents in the region. The vehicle features a 33,000 lb. GVWR, a direct-drive electric motor with 1,737 lb-ft of peak torque, and a 210 kWh li-ion battery pack providing 135 miles of range.
Fire trucks and engines used by fire departments are complex and specialized vehicles that carry thousands of pounds of emergency response equipment. They require reliable upfits that are often specific to individual fire departments, making many hesitant to adopt new technology. Navistar Zero Emissions Customer Onboarding Manager Joe Jenkins helped train the Cambridge Fire on EVs and the benefits of electrification for supporting their mission. Despite the buy-in from Cambridge Fire, the high cost of building a new electric fire truck remains a challenge for many departments.
The HazMat1 International eMV hazmat rescue truck was onboarded by Joe Jenkins due to a unique situation where the vehicle was previously a Rosenbauer tradeshow vehicle. It was originally ordered by North Central International and then ended up with Rosenbauer fully upfitted and ready for deployment by Cambridge Fire. The eMV features a main 609V high voltage system and a robust aux system powered by a pair of AGM 12V batteries. It was put in full service to replace the department’s 25-year-old diesel hazmat rescue truck for an essential upgrade.
Electrek highlights the importance of transitioning to electric fire trucks to improve air quality for firefighters who are often exposed to harmful diesel emissions. Municipal fleet managers have been increasingly considering electric vehicles for their fleets, recognizing the benefits of zero emissions technology. The Cambridge FD’s adoption of an electric hazmat rescue truck demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to incorporating sustainable solutions in emergency response vehicles.
The deployment of the HazMat1 vehicle marks a significant milestone in the transition towards electric fire trucks in New England. The collaboration between Cambridge Fire, Rosenbauer, and Navistar showcases the potential for innovative partnerships to drive sustainable solutions in emergency response vehicles. By embracing electrification, fire departments can reduce emissions, improve air quality for firefighters, and enhance the efficiency and reliability of their fleet. The successful integration of the International eMV chassis with a fully equipped hazmat rescue truck demonstrates the feasibility of electric vehicles in meeting the specialized needs of fire departments.
Overall, the introduction of the HazMat1 International eMV hazmat rescue truck is a commendable step towards modernizing emergency response vehicles and reducing the environmental impact of fire departments. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and sustainable solutions, fire departments can improve operational efficiency and safety while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for firefighters and the communities they serve. As more departments begin to explore the benefits of electrification, the transition to electric fire trucks is likely to accelerate, leading to a more sustainable and resilient emergency response infrastructure.
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