Some chiefs think air/light units are only found in big city departments. They think their department couldn't use, or even afford, such specialized apparatus. If you are one of those chiefs, here is a new look at the many ways you might use one of these versatile support vehicles.

The basic air/light unit has a large generator, one or more scene lights, and a source of breathing air. Add a few compartments for miscellaneous equipment and it's still a pretty simple apparatus with only a few applications. Thirty years ago, departments only called for air/light units when they had big fires, train wrecks or other large-scale incidents.

Things have changed since then. Some departments have gone beyond the basic air/light configuration and beefed up these units with added equipment to handle new functions and incidents. Others have gone in the other direction and stripped down these units to reduce size and cost. Both configurations are designed to meet specific needs and have their own advantages and disadvantages.

One configuration that works well for mid-sized suburban departments is to use air/light units to carry all the service company equipment required by the Insurance Services Office. Much of the required equipment already is on an air/light unit, such as a generator, lights, and some SCBA and spare air bottles. Other service company equipment includes salvage covers, pike poles, a ventilation fan, power saw and tools. ISO will award points for departments that bring this equipment on the first alarm for every structural fire call. Although larger departments usually carry it on their truck companies, many suburban departments don't need a truck and end up having to carry it on their engines or don't bring it at all. Having an air/light unit with sufficient compartments to carry service company equipment can free up space on the engines and help gain ISO points as well. The main disadvantage is that a service company only can cover up to a certain number of road miles from its station and still gain credit. Departments need to consult their regional ISO office and consider response distances when assigning an air/light unit to fill this function.

Expanding the capabilities of air/light units by adding some rescue equipment is another configuration that offers possibilities. Up-sizing the generator to provide additional power for an electric/hydraulic pump allows departments to use these units for motor-vehicle extrications and incidents involving farm equipment or heavy machinery. Adding an electric utility-air compressor would allow the use of inflatable lifting bags and air tools. With additional compartment space, departments also could carry cribbing, telescoping support struts and other rescue gear. The disadvantage is that a small air/light unit quickly can grow into a large rescue squad that costs more, weighs more and is more difficult to maneuver. To avoid that problem, the rescue configuration should be considered only by departments that have very specific — and limited — needs for rescue equipment that can't be conveniently carried on their engines.

A third configuration for air/light trucks is to use them as the basis for regional disaster-response units. The availability of homeland security funds has made this an attractive option for many departments that see the opportunity to obtain a vehicle for both day-to-day incidents and long-term disaster preparedness. Common additions to the basic vehicle include larger generators, electric cord reels and portable lights to cover a larger area, for example, an operations base camp or evacuation center. Other equipment might include hydraulic rescue tool systems to assist at building collapses. Departments specifying air/light units for use in this role should consider providing sufficient fuel, food, water and shelter to allow extended operations without outside support. Some states and counties have found that distributing small vehicle-mounted or trailer-mounted power units to local departments is an inexpensive way to provide multiple disaster response units across a large area. The only disadvantage to this arrangement is that there may be restrictions on the frequency or types of responses local departments can make with these units, the distance traveled, or other requirements. Departments should inquire about any restrictions before accepting one.

Finally, air/light units can provide an easy way for departments to provide firefighter rehabilitation during long incidents. With a ready supply of electrical power, departments can add refrigerators, coffee pots, misting fans or electric heaters. Awnings can provide protection from the elements and can be enclosed for even more protection. Drop-down bench seats can be built into the sides of the body to aid seriously exhausted personnel or provide a place for minor medical treatment. The only disadvantage to doing this is that it restricts movement of the apparatus should it have to be relocated at the scene or respond to another incident.

Other equipment additions might include rear directional arrows to protect personnel at incidents along roadways, radio repeaters to allow communications between widely dispersed handheld radios at large incident scenes and elevated identification lights to clearly distinguish the apparatus from other emergency vehicles. Hose and cord reels can provide breathing air, utility air, hydraulic pressure and electrical current several hundred feet away from the vehicle.

With a little planning, many departments can modify the basic air/light unit concept to produce specialized support vehicles that meet their needs for fires, rescues, hazmat incidents, natural disasters and many other emergencies. Even when limited budgets would preclude the purchase of such vehicles, individual departments can often band together with other departments, or draw on state and county resources, to obtain units that serve regional areas from centralized locations.