Weather Stations at the World Cup

Photos courtesy of Accelerated Tactical

Accelerated Tactical Post

Magellan MX Vehicle Mount Weather Stations

Fire Apparatus Article

Accelerated Tactical Website

Are rising apparatus costs and long lead times dampening hopes of a new rig? Modernizing mission-critical systems and improved situational awareness can be accomplished with a technology upgrade that includes on-board weather data.

For agencies operating command vehicles, search and rescue units, and specialized response apparatus, refurbishment is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative. A recent Fire Apparatus article highlights pros and cons. Refurbishment can boast: 

• – significant cost savings (40-60% cost of new rig)
• – faster turnaround (3-9 months compared to one to two years)
• – crew familiarity with vehicle layouts and operations
• – sustainability and resource efficiency (cost-conscious and environmentally friendly)

Regardless of whether refurb is right for your agency, be sure to include a weather station in your apparatus specs, as did this “refresh” from Jacksonville, Florida.

Accelerated Tactical handled the process, giving the 17-year-old truck new life with repaired cabinetry and the latest technology including Starlink and a Magellan MX™ Weather Station from CWS. Shared between Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Florida Task Force 5, the vehicle was commonly used on hurricane deployments and large scale incidents.

Weather conditions can influence emergency operations including crew safety, search and rescue tactics, fire behavior, hazmat, and even drone deployment. On-site weather data directly benefits command decisions regarding safety thresholds, tactical effectiveness, and public protective actions.

With this refresh, Jacksonville has a fully renewed, highly relevant, key asset as part of their response team at a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle.