5 Ton Brush Truck

The Brush Truck, or locally known on Long Island as a Stump Jumper, is a specialized fire apparatus built for off road firefighting in wooded areas and brush covered properties. This particular Brush Truck was built for Brookhaven National Laboratory by Long Island Brush Truck. The Brookhaven National Laboratory Brush Truck uses a 5 ton military chassis vehicle acquired from military excess. A 2 ½ ton body was fabricated on the 5 ton chassis. The arrangement complies with DOT. regulations for the year in which the Brush Truck was built.

View larger image of truck

The apparatus was designed by a Truck Committee appointed by the BNL's Fire Chief with three (3) objectives:

1. As an attack engine in wildfire/urban situations.
2. Provide Decontamination support, electric power, and the ability to tow the BNL Fire/Rescue Hazardous Material Response Trailer.
3. Have structural Firefighting capabilities in the event weather conditions prevent conventional fire apparatus in gaining access (snow) to a facility.

The Brush Truck, named by the members "The Atoms Family," is an attack fire engine, carrying 1000 gallons of water, with a 500 gallons per minute Hale Pump driven by a 4 cylinder Turbo John Deere diesel, and a 5kw diesel generator for electric power.

For wildfire situations, there are two (2) and up to four (4) "battle stations," which are platforms on the inside back of the truck body, protected by wire mesh and roll bar type piping. The stations are directly behind the cab.

Battle stations have two 1" lines that deliver 95 GPM and two 1 3/4" lines that can deliver 175 GPM each. A booster reel mounted at the rear with 150 feet of 1" hose. Note: The 1 3/4" lines are used for self-protection in the event the Brush Team is overrun by fire. Also, for Personal Protective Equipment, in the event the truck is over run by a fire, Water-Jel Fire blankets are carried onboard to provide a shield against heat, flames and burning brands.

The apparatus is powered by a 6 cylinder multi-fuel engine (i.e., runs of diesel or gasoline; we use diesel) with a 5 speed transmission and is 6 wheel drive with a High and Low range. A 20,000 lbs winch is provided in the front of the truck.

For information about this specialized equipment, you can contact:

• The Fire Chief
• Call Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fire/Rescue Group at (631) 344-2350 or FAX (631)344-5887

Last Modified: February 1, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to: Joseph Levesque

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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