Long Beach, CA- A customized mobile command post built by LDV, Inc., has been delivered for use by the Long Beach Fire Department.
The Department received a 2004 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant for a new incident command center which had to meet technical requirements including: radio communications, interoperability, hard wire and wireless computer connectivity; satellite, cell and land phone lines; and five work stations. It also needed to be small enough to maneuver around city streets and meet the Department’s fiscal budget. The vehicle is a regional resource that will function as a mobile command and communications unit for both extended emergency incidents and special events such as the Long Beach Grand Prix (its first scheduled deployment, April 7-9) and the Long Beach Marathon.
“The design of this vehicle, with its state-of-the-art communications equipment,reflects the ever increasing complexity of today’s emergency incidents,” Captain Fleet Coordinator Craig Crandall said. “In today’s post 911 world, local incidents have national implications and the need to be able to access and monitor local incidents from afar drives the need to be in touch with regional, state and national partners. The vehicle will allow the region to reach out and be accessed by stakeholders who are located remote to incidents.”
The unit is powered by a Freightliner MT-55 with a Cummins ISB-02 260 HP diesel engine, an Allison 2500 EVS automatic heavy-duty transmission and has a 30,000 pound GVWR.
The all aluminum body is constructed of .125 aluminum and a welded tread-plate roof. It features a 78-inch high by 140-inch long by 30-inch deep custom slide-out area. This incorporates a full perimeter air seal and dual wiper retainers to form the industry’s only weather-proof slide-out.
The interior features light-weight, powder-coated aluminum cabinets with durable anodized aluminum frames with dry erase doors, solid surface countertops, and non-skid commercial grade PVC flooring.
The command post has five interior LCD TV monitors and one exterior LCD TV with electronic overlay. These are capable of receiving digital satellite TV, closed circuit video from multiple cameras and DVD/VHS recorders, as well as local off-air and cable TV stations.
It is equipped with multiple expandable electronic racks. A radio interoperability system is connected to various VHF, UHF, and 800 MHz radios. It also contains a 14-port computer network switch, server, cellular and satellite computer modems, and a radio antenna patch panel. A certified CAT5 computer network allows connectivity for operators at five workstations and various other interior and exterior connection points. Other features included in this vehicle are:
- One Kohler 20 kW liquid-cooled diesel generator
- Three DirecTV D10 DSS receivers
- 42-foot heavy-duty pneumatic mast with camera and 4.9 GHz Microwave Antenna
- One night scan power light tower
- Full galley and lavatory
The single-source leader in customized mobile solutions since 1977, LDV Inc. provides special service vehicles, mobile tool stores and other specialized interiors for a variety of customers. LDV’s mission is to engage in partnerships to serve customers as consultants, designers and manufacturers of customer-driven mobile solutions. LDV’s manufacturing capabilities include on-site metal fabrication, customer interiors, graphics, HVAC and wiring experts, and all critical pieces of the manufacturing process. LDV, Inc. is based in Burlington, WI.