March 27, 2008

Ferrara Strong Arm On The Job In Dubai Fireworks Warehouse Fire

On 26 March 2008, a massive explosion and fire ripped through a warehouse illegally storing fireworks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Wire service reports indicated at least two people were killed and others injured from the explosion in the Al Quoz industrial area of Dubai and stated that the fire spread as many as seventy adjacent warehouses. Over 100 fire and rescue personnel responded the blaze, which took most of the day to extinguish. At its height, the fire extended more than one-half mile by one-quarter mile.

Among the apparatus responding to the fire was a new Ferrara Strong Arm fire-rescue vehicle, operated by Dubai Civil Defence, shown in the accompanying photos.  The Dubai Civil Defence took delivery of this vehicle earlier this year and had just finished their initial training with the apparatus.

Ferrara’s Strong Arm is an articulating and telescoping aerial boom.  The Strong Arm, manufactured by Gradall and market by Ferrara on their Inferno and Igniter custom chassis, is currently in service in more than twenty locations around the world.  This unique apparatus will flow up to 1500 GPM with a heavy-duty boom capable of penetrating wood, metal, and concrete structures. While flowing 1500 GPM at any extension, rotation or elevation, the Strong Arm is capable of lifting in excess of 1800 pounds.  Eagle Fire Rescue’s patented 5th Man nozzle is at the tip of the boom and is a key to the truck’s versatility.  Manufactured from hardened stainless steel, the 5th Man nozzle has 48 aqua-jet nozzles, making it a perfect piercing and foam aspirating nozzle.  Additionally, the 5th Man nozzle can be outfitted for dry chem applications.  The Strong Arm is operated with a 12-way radio remote control unit, so the operator can be positioned away from the vehicle for a great vantage point.

A new Strong Arm, bound for Beijing, China, will be on display in Ferrara’s main booth (#6357)at the upcoming FDIC convention in Indianapolis, 7-12 April 2008.

In addition to the Strong Arm, Ferrara Fire Apparatus manufacturers a full line of fire and emergency vehicles, including their premium Inferno XD and Igniter custom chassis, pumpers and tankers, rear and mid-mount aerial ladders and platforms, rescue vehicles, incident command trailers, brush trucks, and airport vehicles.  Ferrara is a leading innovator in the industry, offering such firefighter safety features as ECE-29 cab and body crash testing, Independent Front Suspension, Roll Stability Control, Complete Airbag Protection, and SmartWheel steering systems. 

For more information on the company please contact Paul Christiansen, Marketing Director, at 800.443.9006, via e-mail at paul.christiansen@ferrarafire.com or by regular mail at Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc., PO Box 249, Holden, LA  70744.