Small Trucks Big Impact: Winchester

Small Trucks Big Impact: Winchester

With resources and space more limited than ever, departments are moving towards mini-pumpers and light rescues. Over the years, FMI has set the expectation that a small truck can still have robust storage capacity, and no apparatus exemplifies that more than the upfit we did for Winchester, Kentucky. Winchester came to us with a new mini rescue that they needed their compartments maximized, and the FMI Team was up to the task.

When designing trucks like Winchester, our designers want to utilize the full space of the rig, while keeping the versatility that first responders demand out of their front-line apparatus. Winchester, like many of the departments we work with, needed to store some unique equipment. In this instance, unique meant a large inflatable boat. 

For Winchester, we needed to utilize two heavy duty transverse slides. The front slide was loaded with a strut package, SBCA mounts, and a bottom shelf for additional storage. This design allows for a small slide to be placed to allow for RIT pack and long hand tool storage. The back slide was equipped to store water rescue equipment and an inflatable boat on one side, with additional storing for cribbing and rescue jacks on the other. These slides allow for departments to deploy from either side, without having to duplicate tools or sacrifice valuable time on scene.

In the final three compartments we installed custom-built slides. One for a large toolbox, another with a shelf for storage, and a final rear slide that is loaded with generators, rescue tool storage, and hand-crafted air bag pockets.

When we completed this upfit, this truck was loaded with the department’s equipment, and ready for service. Winchester is a great example of what we specialize in, optimizing the compartment space and saving departments valuable time getting their apparatus into service.

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