The Harborcreek fire chief recently contacted ENORMIS Mobile Specialties for assistance in installing several 2017 Ford F-250 XL safety accessories on their new truck. Chief Ramsey and his team wanted to add upgraded lighting, sirens, work lights, a headache rack and running boards to make the truck more visible when en route to or at a scene, as well as safer and easier to use. We assigned Ken Whiteman to the task and worked with him and Chief Ramsey to ensure we covered every detail of their upgrade plan.
Ford F-250 XL Safety Accessories
The first step in the project was to install a Backrack Safety Rack behind the cab of the truck. This headache rack eliminates the chances of the rear window breaking if the contents of the truck bed were to shift forward suddenly. We used a model 10700 Safety Rack and a 30221 mounting kit to secure everything to the bed of the SuperDuty truck. Ken also added a set of 91006 light bar mounts to the top of the truck.
While he had his tools out, Ken installed a set of Luverne 415114-401728 Grip Steps 7-foot heavy-duty running boards. These steps mount securely to the frame of the truck and provide a solid platform for entering and leaving the truck in the messiest of weather conditions.
Whelen Siren and Speaker System
The next step was to begin the installation of the sirens and speakers on the truck. Ken added a pair of Whelen SA315P combination siren/speakers to the truck, using SAK61D and SAK61P mounting brackets. These speakers are rated to produce 123 dB of output and include a 100 watt amplifier. A Whelen 295SLSA6 siren and lighting control module mounted at the base of the center console would control the sirens and provide PA functionality for the system.
High-visibility Safety and Work Lighting
Emergency lighting is crucial to the safety of the firetruck operator and the public when it’s en route to a scene. We started the lighting upgrades by mounting a Whelen Liberty II light bar on the Safety Rack. The bar includes alley lights and provides amazing light output. A set of Abrams Flex 12 front grille lights and Impact 6 light heads inside the rear taillight lenses ensure the truck is visible. The last step was installing a set of 12 watt LED flood-pattern work lights on the trailer hitch.
Ken configured the lighting controller so the driver can select the light heads on their own, the light head and the light bar together, or the takedown and alley lights as well. This flexibility gives the operator the ability to ensure he can operate the vehicle safely in snowy conditions without the takedown lights blinding him. The operator can select the takedown and alley lights on their own to help light up areas at night.
The chief asked for a master disconnect switch for the lighting and siren accessories. We mounted a QuickCar MDS10 switch on the left side of the dash, near the parking brake release lever.
Expert Installation by ENORMIS Mobile Specialties
Ken did an excellent job of routing all the wiring securely and hiding it from view for a neat and tidy look. He soldered all the electrical connections, then protected them with heat-shrink tubing. From a mechanical standpoint, all of the fasteners for the steps, headache rack, sirens and lighting are torqued to specification to ensure reliable operation. Ken’s electrical experience and mechanical aptitude made him the best choice for this unique project, and he executed it flawlessly.
Lighting and Safety System Upgrades
This 2017 Ford F-250 XL safety accessory project for the Harborcreek Fire Department was a great departure from our normal audio and remote start projects. We want to thank Chief Ramsey and his team for trusting us with the safety of his staff. If you have an emergency or security vehicle that requires sirens, speakers, lighting or safety upgrades, drop by ENORMIS Mobile Solutions in Erie, PA, and speak with a member of our team. We’d be happy to design a solution for your application.
For more information, give us a call at 814-899-8885 or send us an e-mail using the contact page on our website.