Miami-Dade Fire Rescue gets two new response boats

Metal Shark Boats has delivered two new response craft to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) of Florida.

The welded-aluminium FB-21 and FB-73 each have a length of 16.7 metres, a beam of 5.3 metres, an HVAC-equipped pilothouse with reverse-raked windscreen for improved visibility, and two MAN D2868 894kW inboard diesel engines that deliver speeds in excess of 44 knots.

The craft are also equipped with FLIR cameras, radar, GPS, and two Darley ZFE 3000 self-priming, PTO-driven fire pumps with a flow rate of 32,000 litres per minute. There is onboard space for four crewmembers and 12 other personnel including three patients on litters.

An enclosed head compartment provides a freshwater shower to decontaminate firefighters that have been exposed to harmful chemicals or elements of firefighting. A sink and marine toilet are also provided.

The new vessels will aid the crews in detecting and identifying any chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) threat as the vessels are equipped with the latest in detection meters and equipment necessary to prevent such an event.