The emergency vehicle technicians at Tampa (Fla.) Fire-Rescue designed their own shop truck. The resulting vehicle packs some big features in a little package.

The new truck is built on a GMC W-5500 cab-forward chassis with a 5.2-liter diesel engine. It has a low overall height, short wheelbase and tight turning radius to allow it to maneuver in restricted spaces.

Equipment includes a winch in the front bumper and an Auto Crane Titan 38 crane with hydraulic outriggers in the rear. Two Hanney hose reels supply high-volume compressed air for air tools. Compartments are designed to carry tools; parts; and containers with motor oil, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, diesel fuel and transmission fluid. Two quartz flood lights aid nighttime operations.

Dick Guerra, maintenance center supervisor for the department, feels that the main reason the truck came out so well is because the end-users, the EVT team, were fully involved with the design and specifications.

To contact Guerra about the new truck, e-mail Dick.Guerra@tampagov.net.