Photo by Karl Stoltzfus Jr.
Information from Weyers Cave VFD
Submitted by Barry Slagle

The Weyers Cave Vol. Fire Company of Augusta County Virginia recently received their new KME Predator rescue pumper that features the department’s unique dark green paint color, genuine 22 carat gold leaf lettering and striping scheme, as well as high intensity Chevron striping on the full height rear surfaces of the outer side compartments.
The apparatus is built on a KME Predator Long Four Door custom cab and chassis with seating for six personnel including SCBA seating for five as well as having both interior and exterior storage compartments. The cab and body features the Class-1 multiplexed electrical system with remote diagnostics capability for enhanced electrical. The power train is a Cummins ISL 425 hp engine with an Allison EVS3000 series automatic transmission with Jacobs engine brake. The crew area has an enhanced environmental control system featuring over 62,000 btus of cooling and over 100,000 btus of heating. For added frontal protection and usefulness, there is a 20 inch extended stainless steel bumper for mounting of a 6” swivel type front suction, 2-1/2” swivel type front discharge, recessed center hose well, Federal Q2B mechanical siren, electronic siren speaker and dual air horns.
The pumping system consist of a Hale QMAX 1500 GPM single stage pump with a Fire Research “Pump Boss” electronic engine governor system for pressure control. For ease of drafting, there is a maintenance free Trident Air Prime system that eliminates excessive electrical demand and permits long periods of primer operation without any side affects to the electrical system for any of the seven 2-1/2” or 6” inlets on the vehicle. For effective hose loads, there are seven 2” or 2-1/2” preconnect discharges in addition to three 2-1/2” and one 4” side panel discharges, and a 3” deck gun discharge with a TFT “Extenda-Gun” and an Elkhart Stinger deck gun. For ease of recognition, all of the pump panel discharge and intake gauges are Class-1 liquid filled with internal LED backlighting. Fire Research LED type water and foam level gauges are provided on the pump panel as well as Whelen 500 series color coded “Monster” water level lights are provided on each side of the cab for ease of water tank level monitoring from a distance.
For enhancing the effectiveness of the 500 gallon water tank capacity, there is a Hale Class-A electronic injection type foam system that will supply accurately calibrated foam solution to any of the two 2-1/2” or two 2” preconnect discharges. Foam concentrate is supplied from the on-board 30 gallon foam tank that has an automatic refill system provided for ease of supplying foam concentrate during or after pumping operations.
The body is an all-aluminum KME rescue style body that features full height / 26” deep driver and officer side lower compartments as well as 26” wide x 18” deep upper coffin style compartments for a total of 327 cubic feet of enclosed compartment storage. The ground ladders, hard suction hoses, and pike poles are carried inside the center body between the 120 cubic foot primary hose bed and the water tank for ease of loading and unloading from the rear. A total of five SCBA spare cylinders can be carried in the body fender areas in enclosed compartments.

This apparatus includes the fire company’s first Wilburt light mast with this having 6000 watts of lighting and the capability to telescope 17 feet above the travel position. This as well as the two (2) enclosed Akron electric rewind cord reels, two (2) removable 750 watt telescoping tripod flood lights, and the hydraulic rescue tool system pump are powered by way of a Harrison 20,000 watt hydraulic generator with power take-off hot shift controls in the cab as well as on the primary pump panel area.
Work lighting is abundant with multiple LED under body / cab lights with automatic activation with park brake as well as recessed halogen lights in each compartment door with door open activation. In addition, there are seven Fire Research “Focus” 12 volt 150 watt quartz halogen scene lights provided recessed in the body as well as on the forward roof of the cab for immediate illumination.
Safety in the response and on-scene modes is enhanced by the Whelen all LED warning light system, front cab mounted Rota-Ray light, as well as a Federal Q2B mechanical and a Whelen 100 watt electronic siren system. A Whelen LED high intensity directional light bar is provided and recessed into the rear intermediate step as well as Whelen 500 series flashing LED lights provided on the interior of each cab door for added rear approach illumination.
The Weyers Cave Vol. Fire Company still proudly boasts being 100% volunteer in answering approximately 625 fire and EMS calls during 2008. The organization dates back to 1948 and presently has 44 members to cover their first due district of approximately 30 square miles in both Augusta and neighboring Rockingham County with fire, extrication, and EMS services.