Long Beach Airport (LGB) has purchased a new Oshkosh Striker 6X6 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, which will be operated by the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) and housed at Fire Station 16 next to the airport’s airfield in Long Beach, California.
The ARFF is a manoeuvrable vehicle that has rear-steering capabilities and 360-degree cameras with infrared thermal imaging to help see through smoke and steam.
The Oshkosh Striker 6X6 model holds 3,000 gallons of water, up to 420 gallons of foam and 550 pounds of dry chemical extinguishing agent.
It is equipped with a fuel-efficient Scania Tier 4 Final engine and features a low attack bumper turret and a roof mounted turret capable of water dispersal at 1,400 psi.
Long Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Anthony DaSilva said:Firefighting and rescue technology continues to become more effective, efficient and sustainable. We are very excited to have the most advanced tools on our side.
This model will replace LBFD’s existing ARFF vehicle, which has exceeded its useful life.
The total cost for the new vehicle was 1.1 million USD dollars, the majority of which was sourced from the airport’s Passenger Facility Charges (PFC).
