Patent Publication Number: US-2005126631-A1

Title: Catv fire fighting vehicle

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/488,547 having a filing date of Jul. 18, 2003. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present device relates to mobile fire-fighting equipment. More particularly, the present device relates to fire fighting and rescue equipment mounted on a vehicle for accessing remote areas not conducive for access by traditional fire-fighting and rescue vehicles. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a side pictorial view of the vehicle and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a rear pictorial view and partial side pictorial view of the vehicle and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2A  is an illustration of a pictorial view of an alternative embodiment of a the vehicle and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the front unit of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with a safety cage and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a pictorial view of a removably attached carrier and related equipment according to the present invention;  FIG. 4A  is an illustration of a pictorial view of a removably attached side mounted carrier and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a pictorial side view of an alternative embodiment with removably attachable trailers and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of a front elevated view of an alternative embodiment for rail travel and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of a front elevated view of an alternative embodiment for rail travel and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of a side pictorial view of an alternative embodiment with tracks and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of a side pictorial view of an alternative embodiment illustrating tracks for only the front unit and wheels for the rear unit and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 9A  is an illustration of a side pictorial view of an alternative embodiment illustrating separate tracks for the front unit and for the rear unit and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of a side pictorial view of an alternative embodiment illustrating tracks for the rear unit and a ski for the front unit and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a general schematic illustration of the flow/function of the tanks/pumps and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of a partial side pictorial view, partially cut-away of the vehicle and related equipment according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is an illustration of a pictorial side view of an alternative embodiment illustrating an embodiment of a sky hook attachment and related equipment according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
      It should be noted that throughout the following disclosure the term water and water tank are used for ease of understanding and identifying features and functions of the present device. However, it should be readily apparent that the water tank can contain any fluid particularly one that is conducive as a fire-retardant liquid. It should therefore also be apparent that if the fluid in the water tank is something other than water or a mixture of water and some other fluid, then such fluid will also flow through the pump and through piping or hoses in fluid communication with the pump and/or tanks.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, the vehicle  10  is preferably a cargo all terrain vehicle specifically designed to carry loads in addition to personnel. Thus, vehicle  10  is designed to traverse rough terrain as well as gain access to other areas typically inaccessible to typical cargo carrying vehicles including, but not limited to, trucks, cars, utility vehicles, and traditional fire-fighting or rescue vehicles. These inaccessible areas may be unpaved or unimproved terrain or can be areas of narrow access such as narrow streets, alleys, bicycle paths, trails, or similar access routes.  
      Preferably, vehicle  10  has four wheels  12  but it should be appreciated that another embodiment can have more or less than four wheels, for example three wheels. Vehicle  10  preferably has a front unit  10 A and a rear unit  10 B. A passenger compartment  14 , preferably in front unit  10 A, is preferably comprised of at least two seats  16 A and  16 B. Preferably, seat  16 A is for a driver and seat  16 B is for a passenger. It should be appreciated that the use of seats  16 A and  16 B can be interchanged with the driver&#39;s seat being either on the right side or on the left side ( 16 A or  16 B). It is understood that the present device could be configured to have driving/steering capabilities for both seats  16 A and  16 B wherein the vehicle could be driven/steered from either seat  16 A or  16 B or from both seats  16 A or  16 B. The passenger compartment  14  further comprises at least one steering wheel  18 , and preferably conventional type pedals (not illustrated) for power, braking, and a clutch pedal to facilitate gear shifting. Still further, the passenger compartment  14  would preferably include a gear shift  23  which may be a stick, a foot actuated pedal, or a similar device. Preferably, a manual or hand brake  24  is also in the passenger compartment  14 . It should be obvious that if an embodiment with an automatic transmission is utilized that a clutch pedal may not be necessary.  
      In some embodiments, the passenger compartment  14  further comprises a control panel  9  ( FIG. 2 ). The control panel  9  preferably includes, but is not limited to various gauges indicating fuel tank level, water tank level, foam tank level, amount of pump/generator fuel, and air tank pressure. It should be understood that the control panel  9  could further include switches for energizing and de-energizing the pump/generator  30  and  30 A and controlling flow from the various tanks including, but not limited to, water tanks  40 , compressed air tanks  7  ( FIG. 12 ), and foaming agent tanks  44 . It should be appreciated that the control panel  9  could be limited to energizing and de-energizing switches without additional gauges or indicators. It should be further understood that the tanks, except for the compressed air  7  or breathing air tanks  43 , can also have built-in site glasses to indicate the contents level. It should be appreciated that site glasses and gauges can be used exclusive of one another or in combination. Another embodiment can further include tracking aids  8  ( FIG. 2 ) such as a compass, G.P.S. instrumentation, for aiding navigation as well as provide positive location of the vehicle  10 , radios, and cellular telephones which are incorporated into the control panel  9  or are independently attached in the passenger compartment  14  or attached, fixedly or removably, elsewhere on or in vehicle  10 .  
      In another embodiment, a control panel  25  (see  FIG. 2 ) is attached in the rear unit  10 B. Control panel  25  can have some redundant features of the front control panel  9  or can be wholly independent of the front control panel  9 . In either case, control panel  25 , would preferably include, but not be limited to, switches for the pump and/or generator  30  and  30 A ( FIG. 2 ), level indicators for the water tank  40  and foaming agent tank  44 , controls for introducing the foaming agent into the pump discharge stream, and any switches for additional lighting.  
      The passenger compartment  14 , is preferably at least partially enclosed by frame  26  ( FIG. 1 ). Frame  26  is preferably a roll over frame and will protect the occupants from injury and to some extent, protect the passenger compartment  14  from damage in case the vehicle  10  rolls or turns over. The frame  26  can also serve to protect the occupants from brush, limbs, rocks, and the like through which or next to which the vehicle  10  travels. The frame  26 , if so desired or required, can have safety lights and sirens (not illustrated), emergency lights  50 , extra flood lights (not illustrated) or the like attached to it. It should be appreciated that such lights can also be attached elsewhere on vehicle  10  in order to increase visibility of the vehicle  10  or to provide lighting for the users of the present device. The controls for such lights are preferably mounted in the passenger compartment  14  either on the control panel  9  or separately within the passenger compartment  14 . Additionally, redundant controls for such lights may be part of outside control panel  25  or located elsewhere on or in the rear unit  10 B of vehicle  10 .  
      The frame  26  can further be comprised of a cage  60  (see  FIG. 3 ) to further protect the occupants. It should be appreciated that such a cage  60  may include doors  62 , windows  64 , heat shields  66 , and the like. It should be appreciated that the heat shields  66  could be of many configurations and in many positions. Typically, the heat shields  66  are to protect the occupants from excessive heat as they are driving near or through fire. The heat shields  66  are preferably installed as door panels, either instead of the cage component, combined with a cage component, or installed, in an embodiment where, a cage  60  is not utilized. It should be appreciated that the heat shields can be installed as part of any window, of course being careful not to obstruct the driver&#39;s view, as a part of the vehicle roof, floor or walls, or as necessary for the particular environment in which an embodiment will be placed into operation. The heat shield  66  can be of a variety of heat resistant materials or can be sheets of metal which sandwich heat resistant cloths, fibers, materials, and the like. It should further be appreciated that access to and from the passenger compartment should be easy and any cage, door, window, seat or safety belt, and the like should be easy to open or remove in case that the occupants must enter or leave the vehicle quickly. It must also be obvious that the material for any windows or windshields must be adapted to the environment in which the vehicle  10  will be operated. Thus, glass may not be conducive to rough terrain areas, untempered glass would not be conducive to high heat areas and any full-cover and transparent windshield or window may not be conducive to areas where mud and smudge are likely to be splashed on such window or windshields. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 3  is only an illustration and is not intended to limit the placement, size, material, or orientation of the cage  60 , windows  64 , heat shield  66 , doors  62 , and the like.  
      In one embodiment, the rear of the passenger compartment  14  preferably contains at least one compressed air tank  7  ( FIG. 12 ). The compressed air tank  7  can be used to operate any necessary portable air tools (not illustrated). It should be appreciated, by those in the art, that many rescue and/or emergency tools including, but not limited to, saws, jack hammers, jacks and lifts, and cutters/spreaders (for cutting open crashed vehicles, airplanes, and the like) can be operated by pneumatic or hydraulic power. Thus, the compressed air tank  7  or a hydraulic system, similar to one conventionally required to operate vehicle brakes, can preferably be used to operate such rescue tools and equipment. In one embodiment, the foaming agent dispensing is through the use of compressed air, such as a Compressed Air Foam System  81  ( FIG. 12 ), to deliver the foaming agent into the water stream as opposed to utilizing the venturi effect to urge the foaming agent into the water stream.  FIG. 12  illustrates the Compressed Air Foam System  81  along with associated connection hoses  81 a. It is further understood that the passenger compartment  14  may include tanks for breathing air  43  ( FIG. 2 ). These breathing air tanks  43  can be wholly portable or have extendable hoses which allow a breathing apparatus to be used by personnel inside or outside the vehicle.  
      The rear unit  10 B is connected to the front unit  10 A via an articulating joint  82  ( FIG. 12 ) which allows for improved maneuverability and agility of the vehicle  10 . The articulating joint  82  preferably includes a drive shaft  82   a . It should be understood, by those skilled in the art, that the articulating joint  82  may consist of a tube, of various cross-sectional configurations, plates, or other mechanisms that would provide some flexibility to allow the desired maneuverability and agility of the vehicle. Still further, it should be understood that the drive shaft  82   a , which preferably provides the rotational power to the wheels  12 , should be substantially enclosed by or otherwise work in tandem with the articulating joint  82  to allow the desired flexibility of the articulating joint  82 . It would thus be well known, to those skilled in the art, that the drive shaft  82   a  may contain some combination of u-joints and struts to achieve the desired flexibility of the overall joint. For the purpose of clarity and convenience, the articulating joint  82 , described herein, shall be deemed to include the drive shaft  82   a . As the design of the articulating joint  82  is known, it will not be described in further detail herein.  
      The rear unit  10 B is preferably equipped with a high pressure pump  30  and generator  30 A, at least one hose  52  and nozzle  54 , at least one storage reel  56  for the hose  52  or hoses, at least one water tank  40 , and at least one foaming agent tank  44 , and foam mixer  45 . Preferably, hose reel  56  is an automatic reel that allows easy and efficient unwinding and winding of hose  52 . The reel  56  power source can be, but is not limited to, hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, or a combination of power sources. It should be appreciated that the reel can be manual as well. In another embodiment, the rear unit  10 B can also include a storage box (not illustrated), preferably for tools and other necessary equipment. It should be appreciated that the pump  30  and generator  30 A may be one unit or may be separate units and can vary in output. It should be further appreciated that although  FIG. 2  shows only one of each of the above listed features, the configuration can be varied to include some or all of these features as well as multiples of some features, a variety of different capacity tanks can be included, or even additional features such as water cannons (not illustrated) or the ability to pump water from sources other than the water tank  40  may be included.  
      In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the vehicle  10  may be adapted with a second frame  40   a  detachably mounted over the water tank  40  such that the second frame  40   a  may be removed from the rear unit  10 B. This second frame  40   a , would be attached to the frame of the rear unit  10 B, in a conventional manner to allow detachment with relative ease. The features, described herein as mounted to the rear unit  10 B, may be mounted to the second frame and thus be removable with the second frame  40   a  when desired. Preferably, at least in this embodiment, the top of the water tank  40  is of sufficient construction to support the weight of at least two persons and with the second frame  40   a  being removed, the vehicle  10  can transport casualties or injured personnel from an emergency or rescue scene.  
      The pump  30  and generator  30 A whether one unit or separate units, can be fueled from the same tank as vehicle  10 , can have a separate tank (not illustrated) to fuel the pump  30  and the generator  30 A, or each of the vehicle engine  80  ( FIG. 12 ), pump  30 , and generator  30 A can have separate fuel tanks. It should also be understood that the fuel tank level indicators (not illustrated) can be gauges or sight glasses mounted directly on the tanks or they may be gauges mounted on the passenger compartment control panel  9 , on the control panel  25 , or can be any combination of indication as set forth herein.  
      Both the front unit  10 A and the rear unit  10 B preferably include a receiver hitch adaptor  36  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). This adaptor allows for the removable attachment of features of additional embodiments. It should be appreciated that the receiver hitch adaptor  36  may be of a variety of configurations including a conventional hitch receiver, the function of which is to connectably adapt the vehicle  10  for a variety features detachably connectable by such a hitch receiver  36 . It should be further appreciated that a conventional winch  13  may be mounted to either the front of the front unit  10 A or to the rear of the rear unit  10 B. Such a conventional winch  13  may be utilized to pull in objects surrounding the vehicle  10  including, but not limited to, logs, trees, persons, animals, and other vehicles. The conventional winch  13  may also be used to extricate the vehicle  10  should it become stuck or entangled in water, mud, underbrush, trees, limbs, and the like.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment, of the present invention, with a personnel carrier  100  which is preferably removably attached to the receiver hitch  36 . This carrier  100  is preferably utilized to carry injured or disabled persons to safety. It should be appreciated, that as illustrated, the carrier  100  is best suited for carrying casualties or injured persons preferably in a prone position such as on a stretcher. It can also be configured to carry extra fire-fighting or emergency personnel. Such a carrier  100  could also include a protective cage  105  and necessary safety belts (not illustrated) to secure any personnel carried within. In another embodiment, a carrier can be attached which carries additional fire-fighting or emergency equipment, tools, supplies, and the like. Another embodiment can have the carrier  100  attached to the front of front unit  10 A or still another embodiment could have such a carrier  100  on both the back and front of the vehicle  10 . It should be understood that any combination of personnel carriers is within the scope of this invention. This scope would encompass any carriers  51  or stretchers that could be attached to the side of the vehicle ( FIG. 4A ). It should be appreciated by those in the art that any such side mounted stretchers would preferably be supported from the frame  26  or from the frame  26  and the rear unit  10 B. It should be further appreciated that carriers  51  are preferably for moving victims or casualties in a substantially prone position.  
      In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the receiver hitch  36  can be utilized to connect additional carts or trailers  200 . These additional carts or trailers  200  can also be utilized to carry additional fire-fighting or emergency equipment, tools, supplies, water tanks, foam tanks, pumps, generators, and the like. It is also envisioned that such additional carts or trailers  200  could be utilized for evacuating personnel, injured or otherwise, as well as transporting additional personnel.  
      The water tank  40  ( FIG. 2 ) and foaming agent tank  44  ( FIG. 1 ) each preferably have a cap  74 ,  75  for filling each tank, and a drain (not illustrated) for emptying or cleaning each tank. Additionally, the tanks  40  and  44  will preferably have some partitions or baffles (not illustrated) in the tanks to prevent the tank contents from sloshing or shifting such as to create a weight shift sufficient to adversely affect the stability of vehicle  10 . Such baffles or partitions must not restrict or prevent the outlet flow of the contents therein. It should also be readily apparent that the necessity of the baffles or partitions is a factor of the size and the capacity of the particular tank, and of the material or fluid contained therein.  
       FIG. 11  illustrates a typical schematic of the fluid flow of the current invention. The pump  30  preferably has a discharge  34  and a suction intake  35 . Preferably, pump  30  can intake fluid from water tank  40 , through intake line  32  or from an external water supply through intake line  28 . Pump  30  can also intake fluid through intake line  28  and fill the water tank  40  through pump discharge  34  and discharge line  33 .  
      In use, pump  30  intakes fluid from either tank  40  through intake line  32  or from an external water supply through intake line  28 . The pump  30 , preferably discharges the fluid through discharge  34  into the discharge line  29 . The discharge line  29  is preferably in fluid communication with hose  52  and secondary outlet  53  wherein either or both hose  52  or secondary outlet  53  discharge the fluid in the required direction. Foaming agent tank  44  is preferably in fluid communication with the discharge line  29  through tank discharge line  31 . Preferably, the tank discharge line  31  includes a valve  41 D that controls the opening percent of tank discharge line  31 . Preferably, the foaming agent does not freely flow into discharge line  29 . Preferably, the foaming agent is drawn into the discharge line  29  through a venturi effect due to the discharge line pressure/flow or by a mechanical pumping action energized by the venturi effect or a combination of both. It should be appreciated that the amount of foaming agent drawn into the discharge line  29  is also a function of the percentage of valve  41 D opening. Preferably, the foaming agent and the fluid further mix in the foam mixer  45 . It should be noted that foam mixer  45 , sometimes referred to as a foam eductor, is optional as the foam and fluid will also substantially mix as they are discharged through hose  52  and nozzle  54  or through  15  secondary discharge  53 .  
      The fluid pumping circuit, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , preferably includes a number of control valves identified as  41 A- 41 F. It should be appreciated that this is not a limiting description for any embodiment disclosed herein as the type of valve, the number of valves, and the placement of these valves is dependent on individual pumping circuit design and as such should not be construed as a limitation of the current device.  
      It should be appreciated that other embodiments can combine the foaming agent tank  44  with the water tank  40  or can insert the foaming agent tank  44  into the water tank  40 , such as the Compressed Air Foam System  81  ( FIG. 12 ). It should further be appreciated that the foam mixer  45  can also be the discharge piping and/or the hose  52  as the foaming agent and the fluid can mix while flowing through the discharge piping and hose  52  and thus be discharged through the hose nozzle  54  as foam. The hose  52  will preferably have a nozzle  54  attached to the one end of the hose  52  and such nozzle  54  will control the fluid flow through the nozzle  54 . It should still further be appreciated, by those in the art, that some foaming systems do not require separately carrying the foaming agent. For example, not intended as limiting, one conventional foaming system allows for the foaming agent to be added directly to the water tank  40 . This particular foaming agent mixes with the water and maintains its fluid structure while being moved through the pump  30  and through any hose  52  or discharge  53 . Preferably, the foaming agent reacts as the water and foaming agent are discharged through the nozzle  54  and are mixed with the air. It should be understood that the utilization of a foaming agent added directly to the water tank  40  would eliminate the requirement for a foaming agent tank  44  and a foam mixer  45 . However, for the purpose of redundancy or for use in non emergency or non fire-fighting applications, the foaming agent tank  44  and the foam mixer  45  may still be retained.  
      In at least one embodiment, the vehicle  10  has spray nozzles  6  ( FIG. 1 ) permanently or removably attached to the front of vehicle  10 , to the back of vehicle  10 , to either side of the vehicle  10 , underneath the vehicle  10 , or in any combination of the locations herein listed. These nozzles  6  will allow foam and/or water to be discharged while the vehicle  10  is in motion to either put out fire underneath or in direct proximity of the vehicle  10 . Preferably, these nozzles  6  will be positioned as to discharge the water and/or foam at some angle greater than perpendicular to the plane of substantially  15  horizontal travel of the vehicle  10 . It should be appreciated that any spray nozzles  6  attached underneath the vehicle  10  can be effective even if they are positioned substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the ground.  
      It is also understood that in at least one embodiment, at least one vehicle occupant can hold, maneuver, and control the hose  52  or a hose in fluid communication with the secondary discharge  53  or other additional hose that may be attached to the pump discharge line  29  while the vehicle  10  is moving and thus direct the discharge from the nozzle  6  in any direction required. It should be further appreciated by one skilled in the art that preferably all discharge hoses have nozzles  6 . Within this same concept, it is envisioned that at least one embodiment may have at least one water cannon that can be controlled by at least one occupant of the vehicle  10  while the vehicle  10  is in motion.  
      Preferably, in the embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the water tank  40  can be filled from local water sources. If the water source is a body of water including, but not limited to, a lake, pond, ditch, river, or stream, the suction line  28  being in fluid communication with the pump suction  35 , preferably has a screen  305  or other filter to prevent debris or contaminants from entering the suction line  28 . It should be appreciated that such an embodiment also includes the ability to bypass the water tank  40  and thus pump water from the local source either directly to a secondary hose outlet  53  or through the primary hose  52  preferably including the mixing of the foaming agent into the fluid stream.  
      Vehicle  10  is preferably powered by a conventional engine  80  ( FIG. 12 ) fueled by gasoline. In another embodiment, the power is preferably supplied by an alternatively fueled engine  80  ( FIG. 12 ) such as diesel. In still another embodiment, the engine  80  ( FIG. 12 ) is powered by other alternative fuels including but not limited to fuel cells, natural gas, propane, electric motor, or a hybrid engine including a combination of differently fueled engines. It should be appreciated that the engine  80  ( FIG. 12 ) selection is preferably based on the service that the vehicle is in, the local availability of fuels, and the hazards associated with using such fuels in any chosen service.  
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate further embodiments, of the present invention, wherein the vehicle  10  is adapted to travel on rail road tracks  800 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment wherein the vehicle is adapted, for rail travel, by preferably attaching adaptor wheels  802 A to the outside of the existing wheels  12 . It should be appreciated that a variety of attachment methods are possible for the adaptor wheels  802 A to the existing wheels  12  including, but not limited to, existing wheel bolting, additional bolting, clamping, welding, riveting, and the like.  FIG. 7  illustrates a variation of this embodiment wherein the adaption includes at least one second set of wheels  802 , such as used on trains, adapted to rail road tracks  800  and capable of being retracted to allow travel on standard wheels  12 . It should be appreciated that when traveling on rails, the forward or rearward motion of the vehicle  10  can preferably be provided through the rotation of the primary wheels  12 , wherein the secondary wheels are only used as a guide to maintain vehicle  10  on the tracks, through the rotation of the secondary wheels  802  or a combination of power to both the primary wheels  12  and the secondary wheels  802 . It should be understood that an adaption of this vehicle substantially to rail road travel (i.e. providing only the secondary train-type wheels  802  and not the primary wheels  12 ) is within the spirit of this invention. It should also be appreciated that the second set of wheels  802 ,  802 A can be configured to fit any type or width of rail track depending on where the vehicle  10  will be utilized. It should further be understood that when utilizing wheels  802 A, the power for rearward or forward motion is preferably provided through the primary wheels  12 .  
      In an alternative embodiment, vehicle  10  is adapted for use in non-emergency and non-fire fighting situations. In particular, in the adaption of vehicle  10  for rail travel, the present device could be used for controlling vegetation and pests that frequently cause concern near railroad tracks. In particular, the foaming agent tank  44  could be converted to storing pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or other chemicals. When the pump  30  is energized, the chemical or chemicals in the foaming agent tank  44  are drawn into the discharge line  29  and the mix of water and some preferred chemical may be sprayed along the railroad tracks to control vegetation and pests. Another non-emergency and non-fire fighting embodiment is the use of the present device in preferably controlling vegetation and pests in areas not accessible by other vehicles. In this embodiment, vehicle  10  comprises wheels  12  but still carries pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or other chemicals in the foaming agent tank  44 . This embodiment would be particularly adaptable to urban areas that have some wooded acreage near homes, business, hospitals, or the like, which need pest and vegetation control that is typically obtained by utilizing personnel on foot which is very time consuming and therefore expensive.  
      In another embodiment of the device, the wheels  12  can be replaced with tracks  900  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . It should be appreciated that the tracks  900  are preferably endless belts such as employed on tanks or other military vehicles, tractors or other construction equipment, and the like. This will preferably allow the vehicle  10  to traverse areas where tire traction would be very poor, such as shifting or unstable soils or areas where tires would be damaged or destroyed. It should be appreciated that in an embodiment, such as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , an articulating joint  82  ( FIG. 12 ) may not be necessary but preferably is still employed for reasons including, but not limited to, easy conversion from one embodiment to another, for overall interchangeability of maintenance and spare parts, and for avoiding the need to design other drive mechanisms. A variation of this embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 9  wherein only the front unit  10 A is equipped with tracks  900  and the rear unit  10 B preferably retains the articulating joint  82  ( FIG. 12 ) as well as the wheels  12 . A further variation is illustrated in  FIG. 9A  wherein the front unit  10 A and rear unit  10 B are both preferably equipped with an individual set of tracks  900 ,  900   a . It should be understood that the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9A  preferably retains the articulating joint  82  ( FIG. 12 ). Another embodiment,  FIG. 10 , illustrates yet another drive option to cover various terrain where the use of standard wheels  12  would be non-conducive to a particular environment. Here, the wheels  12  are replaced with tracks  1100  and the steering mechanism includes at least one ski-like device  1102 . In this manner, this embodiment allows the vehicle  10  to traverse snow and/or ice covered terrain.  
      Because of the relatively light weight of the present device, as compared to traditional fire-fighting and rescue vehicles or even more compact units mounted on pickup trucks, it is understood that many of the disclosed embodiments could be air- lifted, for example by helicopter, into isolated areas located some distance from accessible roads such as, but not limited to, areas of forest fires, rescue operations in forests, swamps, mountainous areas, and the like. It should be understood that the light weight of the vehicle is, at least partially due to the vehicles compact size design and fiberglass body. However, other materials of construction are within the scope of this invention and should not be viewed as limiting.  
      For such air-lift needs the vehicle  10  may be equipped with a sky hook  1300  ( FIG. 13 ) attachment. Although not illustrated in detail, it is well known to those in the art, that such a skyhook  1300  would be positioned such that the center of gravity of the vehicle  10  would be aligned with the hook  1300  position such that the vehicle  10  could be raised, lowered, and carried without damage. If the vehicle  10  is to be air-lifted with all tanks fully loaded, it is preferred that the sky hook  1300  attachment be comprised of a separate frame  1301  that is attached to both the front unit  1 OA and the rear unit  10 B. It should also be appreciated that the embodiments for non fire-fighting vehicles and non-emergency or non-rescue vehicles could also comprise the sky hook  1300  attachment for air lifting the vehicle  10  to more remote areas. It should be further appreciated that vehicle  10  may be transported without skid  40   a  or that skid  40   a  and the vehicle  10  be transported separately. It should be understood that the sky hook  1300  can be utilized for lifting or moving the vehicle  10  by a variety of means including, but not limited to helicopters, cranes, and the like.  
      In operation, the vehicle  10  is preferably stored near the area to be served. However, it is more probable that the vehicle  10  will serve a large area, such as a county, a certain state or private park, a township, and the like. In this instance, vehicle  10  would preferably be stored on a trailer. When needed, the vehicle  10  would preferably be transported, by trailer, as close to the site requiring the vehicle  10  as possible (i.e. as close as accessible roads can reach). It should be appreciated that if the vehicle  10  is used for emergency operations the various tanks are preferable always full. After unloading, the foaming agent tank  44  is energized by opening the discharge valve. It should be noted that the foaming agent will preferably not flow freely from the foaming agent tank  44  discharge into the discharge line  29  until there is water flow in the discharge line  29  to create a venturi effect to urge the foaming agent into the discharge line  29 . It should be appreciated that embodiments utilizing the Compressed Air Foaming System  81 , utilized the compressed air in lieu of the venturi effect. The vehicle  10  and its occupants will preferably proceed to drive to the required location. In case of a fire, the pump  30  can be operating while the vehicle  10  is in motion. Thus, at least one occupant of the vehicle  10  can actually spray water and/or foam on a fire while the vehicle is in motion. Also in embodiments with spray nozzles  6  located underneath, in the front, in the back, or on the sides of the vehicle, the spray of water and/or foam can help protect the occupants of the vehicle  10  as well as put out the low ground fires and allow access closer to the heart of the fire. In the case of brush fires where the vegetation is short in height, spraying the fire while the vehicle  10  moves may allow a very quick extinguishing cycle.  
      In case of non-emergency uses, such as vegetation and pest control, the operation of the unit is substantially the same except for the chemicals which are preferably placed in the foaming agent tank  44 . It should be understood that if the embodiment in use is for dispensing, spreading, or broadcasting any type of chemical or chemical mix then at least the foaming agent tank  44 , which contains and dispenses the required chemical, is preferably empty until just prior to use. It should be appreciated that chemical spraying can also utilize embodiments featuring spray nozzles  6  mounted outside of the vehicle  10 . It should be further appreciated that tank  40  could be directly filled with the desired chemical without the need of the foaming agent tank  44 .  
      Those who are skilled in the art will readily perceive how to modify the present invention still further. For example, the combinations of features of the various embodiments can create other working embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the subject matter of the present device should not be considered limited to a particular material of construction. Therefore, many materials of construction are contemplated by the present device including but not limited to metals, glass, rubbers, fiberglass, plastics, fire retardant materials, as well as combinations and variations thereof. As many possible embodiments may be made of the present invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.