Contra Costa County Fire Department Takes Delivery of Two R1T Trucks

[Administrator]

Sponsored

 

[COdogman]

So cool!

 

[zipzag]

Eh, driven by staffers. What are they hauling that couldn't be done in a model 3? Are there fire safety inspections in the bay area that require high clearance four wheel drive? Perhaps there is a valid use case, or perhaps taxes are so high it doesn't matter.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Eh, driven by staffers. What are they hauling that couldn't be done in a model 3? Are there fire safety inspections in the bay area that require high clearance four wheel drive? Perhaps there is a valid use case, or perhaps taxes are so high it doesn't matter.

I wonder what type of vehicle(s) the Rivians are replacing in this type of role.

If they would’ve purchased a Fusion or Malibu for that role in the past then you have a good point: a Bolt or Model 3 would’ve been a greener choice.

If they would’ve purchased an ICE-powered full-size pickup, overkill or not, then a Rivian is arguably an improvement.

I haven’t seen anything smaller than a pickup truck at our local suburban fire stations for at least the last decade. For what it’s worth.

 

[Dman250]

Are there fire safety inspections in the bay area that require high clearance four wheel drive?

Definitely yes. Pretty much every Bay Area county except SF has a lot of remote rural land with steep unpaved roads. Some private, some public land. And huge fire risk in summer through late fall. I think the R1T is very appropriate for this application … more so than the typical domestic ICE truck, or even the 4wd Tacoma’s used by some agencies including my city FD, though in our case it’s for beach rescues.

 

[moosehead]

Eh, driven by staffers. What are they hauling that couldn't be done in a model 3? Are there fire safety inspections in the bay area that require high clearance four wheel drive? Perhaps there is a valid use case, or perhaps taxes are so high it doesn't matter.

Or perhaps they are needed for CCFD duties including emergencies, and fires, and equipment and whatnot.

 

[COdogman]

I’m not an expert on FD operations but I know quite a few firefighters here in CO and it sounds like the supervisors/ chiefs drive the pickups/ SUVs or they use them for local inspections and other visits. It’s also a requirement here that every vehicle can get through any weather.

 

[zipzag]

I wonder what type of vehicle(s) the Rivians are replacing in this type of role.

If they would’ve purchased a Fusion or Malibu for that role in the past then you have a good point: a Bolt or Model 3 would’ve been a greener choice.

If they would’ve purchased an ICE-powered full-size pickup, overkill or not, then a Rivian is arguably an improvement.

I haven’t seen anything smaller than a pickup truck at our local suburban fire stations for at least the last decade. For what it’s worth.

A Lightning was probably under $50K when they ordered the Rivian.

 

[SoCal Rob]

A Lightning was probably under $50K when they ordered the Rivian.

Probably? Are you making assumptions or did you see something regarding the timing and pricing regarding this purchase?

I didn’t see anything online about how much the CCFD paid for the Rivians or when they ordered them. If they decided that they wanted to go full EV recently and if Rivian was accommodating on pricing and delivery to get some positive press then maybe the Lightning wasn’t a competitive option.

 

[zipzag]

Probably? Are you making assumptions or did you see something regarding the timing and pricing regarding this purchase?

I didn’t see anything online about how much the CCFD paid for the Rivians or when they ordered them. If they decided that they wanted to go full EV recently and if Rivian was accommodating on pricing and delivery to get some positive press then maybe the Lightning wasn’t a competitive option.

Ford has had two Lightning price increases. The most recent one brought the Pro model to $51K retail.

The Lightning is in Ford Fleet program.

 

[Electric619]

I support the decision of moving to the R1T. No matter what you use it for, it can go just about anywhere. If my tax dollars are going to make fire departments greener and more maneuverable, I’m ok with that.

What I wouldn’t be ok with, is the trucks sitting there and being used by the higher ups. Put them to work!

 

[SoCal Rob]

Ford has had two Lightning price increases. The most recent one brought the Pro model to $51K retail.

The Lightning is in Ford Fleet program.

That speaks to Ford pricing but doesn’t address my earlier point about what Rivian may have done for pricing and availability in order to get some press. When you combine that with the much shorter range of the Lightning Pro maybe price wasn’t an issue and/or the range was more of a priority than the price point.

We don’t know what went into the decision and it won’t be the clear-cut case you seem to think it is until we do, if we do.

 

[Sattman69]

Are those CR or a custom red? Typically a FD will have their “red” that’s is used on all apparatus. They look like a deeper red in the pics.
But very cool!

 

[crashmtb]

Are those CR or a custom red? Typically a FD will have their “red” that’s is used on all apparatus. They look like a deeper red in the pics.
But very cool!

It’s red canyon.

These trucks will be less costly over their service life compared to whatever internal combustion engine truck they replace.


That said, here the fire department uses small hybrid sedans for this work.

District chiefs use 3/4 ton pickups with caps on the bed, vs station wagons 30 years ago.

 

[dleepnw]

says "They will be utilized in our training division and fire prevention bureau." does that mean they will intentionally burn one down to train on how to put it out?

Sponsored