Fleet Friday - Training Tiller

On this Fleet Friday we feature a 1994 Seagrave tiller being used by SMFR to train personnel on driving and aerial operations with our first ever tractor drawn aerial. A Pierce Velocity Tiller is scheduled for delivery in the Spring of 2024 which will replace both Tower and Rescue 34.

[@BigTunaTim76]

The tiller driver they cut to a few times has an absolutely magnificent mustache

[@bobbob-wf9wm]

For real

[@charliejohnson1919]

Love the mustache ❤

[@SeattleResponses]

Awesome that you guys are getting a tiller! Here in Seattle, we use all tillers, and we LOVE them.

[@marknelson2846]

They look very cool up there...seen lots of pictures of Seattle tillers.

[@mikel9567]

Spent several years with AMR Seattle assigned to the Seattle Fire contract. Spent most of my time in Batt 2 and Batt 7. Loved the tillers. I was always amazed at some of the places those things went. We had Mercedes Sprinter ambulances and sometimes we had a hell of time getting into a location only to find out that a tiller was on scene. Tiller trucks are pretty freaking amazing.

[@SeattleResponses]

@@mikel9567 Nice! I'm in Battalion 7 myself, love it. See y'all all the time on our aid calls.

[@iamReddington]

The skill needed to drive the rear portion of the TILLER is fascinating!

[@RedneckGamer64]

Can't beat an old Seagrave! Nice truck.

[@FurryWrecker911]

That 90s dashboard is rubbing me in all the right ways. It won't be friendly should you get in a crash, but damn does it look good all dressed in utilitarian.

[@deshotz]

Tillers have a really impressive turning radius. To answer the comments questioning that, it would help if on the Fleet Friday video for the new tiller, throw up a drone and get overhead shots of the tiller and a tower/ladder negotiating the same turn and show them side by side.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Great suggestion, we'll arrange that when the new tiller arrives.

[@Typical_Panda]

Love to see Captain Pickford after his day in a life!

[@marknelson2846]

Excellent video. It'll be great when the new rig arrives in May.

[@jacobshenk8337]

Super cool, can't wait for the new tiller!

[@ninjabugy]

Love the tone for a call in background

[@Tanker85MC]

Love this series

[@nicholasmakepeace8748]

Awesome fire tiller video ❤

[@firefighterfan2010]

That a cool one South Metro Fire And Rescue!👍🏻 Love The Training Tiller!🚒

[@nerdfallfeuerwehr3944]

Thx ❤SMFR

[@Battalionchief_lynn]

Can't wait for the new Tiller

[@logan8684]

if i ever get to drive a tiller i will die happy. great vide!

[@adamperry9431]

Absolutely love this!! Pls do a Fleet Friday on Medic 34

[@anaheimfdvideographer]

Very nice that this truck can operate both fire and rescue responses. Maybe if the tiller breaks down, use the tower and rescue as reserves unless both vehicles are being put into another station within the district.

[@buckiesilas5284]

Cool training truck. Back to old school. If you can Master old school tiller truck driving the new truck should be a breeze with all the high tech. Cameras and monitoring equipment. Be safe. Keep rolling 🔥🚒🚒🚑🚑

[@gonuts4donuts]

That training tiller is in phenomenal condition considering its age. I miss those older Seagrave trucks. Quite a few departments around me had early 90's Seagrave tillers when I was a kid, but my hometown had an '88 or '89 Seagrave rear mount straight stick that they finally replaced several years back for a Fererra mid-mount tower. That Seagrave rear mount was something else watching the stick sway side to side, back and forth from the slightest breeze when fully extended with a water pipe going 😅

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

I grew up around mostly Pierce and a few rare Boardman's, but this Seagrave definitely brought back that nostalgia! - Eric

[@johnarat9618]

@@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO I love the fact that the tiller from California. The side red lights at the front, just below the windows go on, but do not flash. They're steady burn lights, which is a requirement in California, under Section 25252 of the California Vehicle Code. At least one steady burn red light at the front of every authorized emergency vehicle there. The steady burns alone is enough to scream 'California'.

[@angelajolly4620]

San francisco uses tillers instead of ladders and they look awesome. I'm excited to see the SMFR livery on one!

[@eriksand9262]

Instead of ladders? What?? Do you mean a rear or mid mount ladder truck? Because they still use ground ladders 🤨

[@thatzombieplace]

Wow so crazy to hear a torrance tiller made it out to Colorado

[@scottphillips5377]

I hope you like the tiller. I have seen dallas fire department use one the same way you're planning on using yours.

[@JT565M29]

Look at Eden Fire Company in Manheim Twp PA. They run the concept you’re trying with a tiller set up for rescue and fire. It’s even certified by the state for rescue. Definitely worth checking out for your concept!

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

It's one of my personal favorites. Great design and appearance! - Eric

[@FerroequinologistofColorado]

So excited for when the new tiller shows up.

[@irt3rdavenueel172]

We call it a tiller in NYC but some areas call it a quint or even a light force

[@Clarkmillett]

i love brett

[@smorris281]

It takes an extraordinary level of skill to be a Tillerman.

[@marcmcdonald2888]

LAFD uses all Tillers and LA County fire dept. has all tillered Quints with the exception of one rear mount quint

[@trailblazingheisman]

torrance tiller still lives on

[@panzerfalcon550]

My department has actually been thinking about getting a tiller to replace our truck and rescue too but I doubt it'll happen

[@RealZachAttack28]

So cool 😎 is there any pictures yet and when is delivery expected.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Delivery is expected in May and as soon as production begins Pierce will send us photos to share.

[@josephalexander3884]

The only questions are A frame versus H frame outriggers. Having one style for your department is critical.

[@trob0914]

IT's TILLER TIME!!

[@that_weirdguy_who_playsbas1567]

When Ladder 12 is eventually retired will it be replaced by another straight stick Ariel or a mid mount tower like the other SMFR stations?

[@sebastianbliek]

Question will Rescuetiller 34 get a extra FF staffed on the rig?

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

The current staffing model will remain the same with a Captain or Lieutenant, Engineer and 2 Firefighters.

[@Lad42der]

South Merto is my dream department to work for

[@kevinswinyer3176]

Are the Rear Steering wheels on the trailer set up with power steering like the Cab steering, or no ?

[@AvtechKy1]

Will the new tiller be staffed with 5? What is the plan for a reserve apparatus? Will the new tiller be able to use the pull through bay?

[@Autofleet4429]

Currently the plan is if the Tiller goes out of service, Station-34 will go back into one of the reserve straight-Sticks and make do without a Rescue, long term they plan on using Dive-31 as a general-purpose specialty-reserve that will serve as a reserve for Dive, Hazmat. Rescue & Collapse, and it that case they would operate as they currently do with a Tower & Rescue cross-staffed

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

The new tiller will be staffed with 4 total personnel. A Captain or Lieutenant, Engineer and 2 Firefighters. A reserve Ladder or Tower will be used in place of the tiller and a reserve special operations vehicle may accompany those to carry the additional technical rescue equipment. Yes, the new tiller will be able to use a pull through bay.

[@anabudisin832]

Will you be able to put all the equipment on tower 34 and rescue 34 onto the tiller when you get it

[@Autofleet4429]

Yes, All the collapse equipment will be moved from Rescue-34 to Collapse-45 and the rest of the equipment will fit onto the new Tiller.

[@Clarkmillett]

im so happy its inservice day so no school

[@bm7151]

Aye its Pickford

[@RealZachAttack28]

I feel Brett Pickford is on here more then Eric anymore 😂😂

[@bm7151]

@@RealZachAttack28 No kidding. First the snow ride along, then the day in the life, now a fleet, and probably a few in between 😭😭😭

[@bio9348]

@@bm7151and the fleet friday on tender 34

[@blackhawkgaming5231]

I’ve been curious does South Metro Fire use a specific Helmet or can they use leathers

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

South Metro employees may choose between the Phenix First Due, Cairns 880 and 1044, Morning Pride Ben II or a leather if they chose to purchase one.

[@josephalexander3884]

Oxnard is 2towns away from me.

[@user-jc3ny8yl6e]

I got to sit in the tiller cab

[@lukegreenwell3612]

Probably need to jack knife slightly towards the working side on that truck if you're working at less than 60ish degrees.

[@josephalexander3884]

A frame are for narrow roads.

[@illinoisoutlaw2197]

So once the tiller is placed in service at 34's house, Will you guys move a suppression unit to that house as well so they would basically operate like a Light Force company from LAFD

[@Autofleet4429]

The new Tiller will be a Quint and will continue to operate as the first due Suppression for Station-34’s first Due.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

The tiller will be a stand alone quint, but if this training tiller is ever needed as a last resort reserve, it will likely be paired with Tender 34 like a light force.

[@fs46]

Looks like Torrance, ca fire old tiller

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Exactly!

[@codyroleson6745]

So with the new tiller on order being a few feet longer, I assume it will be plumber for a waterway on the ladder correct?

[@Autofleet4429]

Yes, and the new Tiller will also be a Quint. It will have all the capabilities of the Tower it's replacing.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Yes, the new tiller will have a pre-piped waterway.

[@marcusblum7462]

Looks like former 1990’s LAFD

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Indeed it does! It spent its career at Torrance and likely had similar specifications to LAFD.

[@alex_1798]

What happens if the new tiller goes into the shop will this be it’s reserve? Or will a tower ladder truck act as the reserve

[@Autofleet4429]

one of their Straight-Stick Aerials will act as a Reserve.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

The current plan is for this apparatus to remain as a training vehicle. In the event the new tiller is out of service, a reserve Ladder or Tower will be used, and it could be supplemented with a special operations support vehicle to carry additional equipment.

[@Leopity.]

So will you guys get a second engineer for the tiller

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Great question! There are currently no plans to add a second Engineer. The senior Firefighter will be the tiller operator.

[@Quadrille763]

Parallel printer switch?

[@codycollins5462]

Can you do a fleet friday on the update on hazmat 38 and decon 18

[@RealZachAttack28]

Yes we so need a fleet Friday on the new Hazmat 38 the current “decon” is stationed at 17’s and there has already been a fleet Friday for it along with the old hazmat 38 (new hazmat 17) as well

[@codycollins5462]

@@RealZachAttack28 I get tower ladder 18 and Decon unit with confused each other where there stationed at all but if see the stations then I can tell you what units are inside that station.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Yes! The Hazmat Team is getting all of the equipment organized on HM38 and once it's done, we'll share a Fleet Friday.

[@user-jc3ny8yl6e]

The Bellingham fire department is getting their first tiller

[@marcmcdonald2888]

Hey I live right near Torrance CA. 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😁😁😁

[@quincychappell.1240]

OXNARD THATS MY HOME TOWN!!!

[@tbuff91]

Tillers look so weird imo. Tower ladders look so much cooler

[@kchumlyful]

Will the new tiller have a pump like the other tower/truck company’s ?

[@Autofleet4429]

Yes, all SMFR Aerials are Quints as a requirement as all SMFR stations are single company stations.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Yes, the new tiller will feature a 1,500 gpm pump and a 300 gallon water tank with 3 cross lays and a small 5 inch supply hose bed.

[@FluffyYT11]

When’s your next fleet Friday?

[@FluffyYT11]

Could you do the emergency snow response equipment?

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Yes! SMFR has a new MedCat on order which will be used for snow response. There are several pick up trucks with plows that are sometimes used as well, next time they're placed in service we will feature them.

[@FluffyYT11]

Ok sounds great thank you

[@davepettersen6847]

What will the manpower be on the tiller?

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

The current Tower 34 staffing of 4 including a Captain/Lieutenant, Engineer and 2 Firefighters. The senior "delta" Firefighter will be the tiller operator.

[@user-ui9il9xq1d]

Is it the first time you guys have a trailer fire truck

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Yes, this is South Metro's first tractor drawn aerial.

[@theoneandonlyofficialfred11234]

What model truck is the tiller going to be on?

[@Autofleet4429]

Pierce Velocity

[@theoneandonlyofficialfred11234]

that was my guess just was not sure.

[@user-ui9il9xq1d]

How many fire truck trailers you guys have in the fire department in South Metro

[@Autofleet4429]

None currently they are getting one as a joint replacement for Tower & Rescue-34.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Currently the only emergency response trailer is Collapse 45.

[@cdmartin194]

What are they going to call this bad boy when it’s in service? Tiller 34? Ladder 34?

[@Autofleet4429]

The new Tiller on order will likely be called Ladder-34 as it doesn’t have a bucket

[@mborrett]

Maybe call it Truck 34 to pay homage to your training apparatus' prior life as TFD Truck 96.@@Autofleet4429

[@Autofleet4429]

​@@mborrett South Metro doesn’t use the callsign “Truck” in South Metro’s Dispatch System if it’s got a bucket it’s a Tower, if it hasn’t got a bucket it’s a Ladder, for example South Metro’s neighbour West Metro who South Metro has a CAD-to-CAD Automatic Aid agreement with (I.e. South Metro can dispatch West Metro’s units themselves based on who’s closer and vice versa) calls their Aerial unit at their Station-14 “Truck-14” however when it’s dispatched by South Metro it’s called “Tower-14”.

[@mastermack01]

It's too bad they are getting rid of their Sutphen Tower... Sutphens are magnificent trucks.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

The 2 remaining 2006 Sutphens will likely remain in the reserve fleet for a few more years. They are workhorses!

[@emergencyresponsevideosand4423]

Eventually when you get your actual tiller, will the training one be a spare

[@Autofleet4429]

No as it has no pump and tank.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

It will likely remain as a training apparatus only. In a worst case scenario if it was needed as a reserve, Tender 34 could travel with it in a "light force" like arrangement.

[@emergencyresponsevideosand4423]

@@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO ohhh so you guys are gonna do what LAFD does? They also have a lightforce, where a second engine snd tiller respond, nice

[@Autofleet4429]

Only as a last resort after all over Reserve Aerials are unavailable.​@@emergencyresponsevideosand4423

[@cpb9451]

I may have missed it but is the new tiller going to have a pump?

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Yes, the new tiller will have a 1,500 gpm pump and a 300 gallon water tank.

[@cpb9451]

Thank you.

[@jackchapman2004]

what year is that cabover

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

This is a 1994

[@jackchapman2004]

@@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO ok thanks

[@firefighter1971]

Hey, you probably won’t see this… but if possible can I get that q because this isn’t a frontline truck? (I think I already know the answer but I gotta try)

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

It never hurts to ask, but the Q will stay on this apparatus. You can check out govdeals.com though, sometimes SMFR and other departments put surplus equipment on there for auction.

[@haiventhomas3048]

Can someone explain to me what a tiller does and what function it brings because it’s big

[@aviationprod]

A tiller helps firefighters get the big rig with the ladder through small streets, and it will serve as a rescue tiller too.

[@Autofleet4429]

For South Metro, the Primary reason for getting a Tiller is that South Metro plans on merging their Heavy-Rescue with the Tower at Station-34 and Tiller have more storage capacity than your regular Straight-Sticks.

[@lord_raindrops237]

Shouldn't there be a grille for the truck? It looks kinda strange without the grille in the front

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Seagrave and some Pierce Dash designs from this era didn't have grilles. They definitely look odd by comparison to today's fleet.

[@amazonbox5551]

Does this mean midmounts will further dissapear from the fire scenes? I cant take the rarity of midmounts anymore :(

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

Based on recent conversations there will likely be a diversified future aerial fleet at SMFR with a combination of rear and mid mount apparatus and some platforms.

[@NightfighterZero]

I still don't get the concept of the tiller truck. It just appears to be a semi-trailer with a ladder slapped on top without any further benefits just a longer wheelbase. Someone care to explain?

[@Autofleet4429]

For South Metro, the Primary reason for getting a Tiller is that South Metro plans on merging their Heavy-Rescue with the Tower at Station-34 and Tillers have more storage capacity than your regular Straight-Sticks.

[@PTRRanger951]

The benefits are that it can turn on its own. It's not following the truck, as he said it can turn in 32 feet, the same as a smaller engine. They can make sharp turns, and turn around parked vehicles and objects, something a straight truck or a semi can not do. The back wheels of the tiller steer, they are not fixed. So imagine pulling something, and having the ability to make the trailer back or move around something.

[@SouthMetroFireRescuePIO]

SMFR chose to purchase a tiller because it will allow us to combine the technical rescue apparatus into the aerial with so much compartment space. It's great for tight turns and highway responses which are common in Station 34's area.

[@terin1862]

32K? That costs less than my car! 🤪

[@ShariahThomas]

❤❤😊😊😂😅😅😂😮🎉😢🎉

[@angelmartinez2389]

.

[@davidbehrend7054]

I am no expert by any means. But have you watched a semi with a 53 foot trailer try to make turns, especially right turns and how the trailer starts cutting over the curb. Imagine if the rear wheels on the trainer could turn in the opposite direction, as they are making it. The rear wheels would swing out, clearing any obstacles, and making the turn much easier. That is what this apparatus will make it easier to do. Many streets, especially in metro areas, have tight streets, and regular tractor-trailers have difficulties maneuvering, but if they could have someone steer the rear wheels, it would make it much easier. Just my two cents.

[@BucksBlueLightVids]

Why is it that fire appliances in the US are unnecessarily big?? Really don't need to be

[@PTRRanger951]

Because we carry more equipment, more hoses, and more ladders than most other countries. Our roads are also made for larger vehicles and are not as narrow. So yes they do need to be that large since they are carrying more, and do more.

[@karenrjackson884]

2020👨‍🚒📲off new york wendy