Patent Publication Number: US-7909112-B2

Title: Compact mobile fire attack vehicle mountable to an emergency vehicle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Non-Provisional which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/927,660, entitled “Compact Mobile Fire Attack Vehicle Mounted To An Emergency Vehicle” filed May 3, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to compact fire-fighting vehicle mountable to an emergency response fire truck. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In response to the burning of a structure located on top of a hill having a driveway with a steep incline, it is oftentimes very difficult for emergency response fire-fighting vehicles (such as firefighting trucks) to drive up close to the fire for a variety of different reasons. Consequently, city and/or county ordinances place restrictions on emergency response vehicles from driving up driveways having a certain grade. In some instance, it is difficult for a fire truck to safely drive up a severe grade for fear that the fire truck may get stuck on the incline attempting to negotiate the steep grade. Likewise, the weight of the fire truck may cause immeasurable damage to the driveway causing unnecessary liability to the fire department. 
     Various disadvantages are encountered because the fire truck is prohibited from traveling up certain driveways. Some driveways leading up to a structure are long and set quite a distance off of the street. In this instance, when responding to a fire, the fire men and/or women (hereafter referred to as firemen) have to traverse quite a distance up the driveway carrying heavy firefighting equipment to the burning structure. If the driveway is long, this task can be cumbersome and exhaustive and may take the firemen a substantially long time. By the time the firemen arrive at the fire, they are fatigued and in need dire need of recuperation. For example, the typical fire hose carried on a fire truck is heavy and requires at least two firemen to drag the hose from the fire truck to the burning structure. When the distance traveled by the firemen is long, more time and energy is expended setting up to attack the fire that is necessary. In a fire, seconds could mean the difference between a salvage operation or a complete loss of the burning structure. 
     Accordingly, there is an exigent need for a mobile firefighting vehicle integrated with a fire truck that will allow firefighting personnel to rapidly traverse long driveways with their essential firefighting equipment to a remote burning structure. Another example where a remote fire-fighting vehicle would be instrumental to fighting a fire is the case in which the fire is located at a remote location from the street with no route large enough to support the width or weight of a fire truck, such as a narrow alley-way. 
     The mobile fire-fighting vehicle must be durable, yet portable enough to be disengagably transported by a fire truck that responds to a fire. This invention addresses this time-consuming need and the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a compact and portable independently mobile fire-fighting vehicle that is integrated onto the firefighting truck. 
     The fire-fighting vehicle has a small and compact construction which can be employed in fighting fires. The firefighting vehicle of this invention is mobile and versatile and intended to operate in a plurality of different environments, including, for example, in a flat or high-rise structure. The mobile fire-fighting vehicle is agile, simple to drive and may be driven through door openings, and can maneuver around narrow curves, and the like. The mobile fire-fighting vehicle may be operated manually or remotely. The mobile fire-fighting vehicle may be equipped with various firefighting equipment and tools. 
     The mobile fire-fighting vehicle is a small, compact fire-fighting vehicle which may be adapted to and carry one or more firefighting personnel. The compact fire-fighting vehicle may include a connection for indirect and/or may include a direct self contained water supply. 
     According to this invention, the compact fire-fighting vehicle may be effectively used to allow firefighting personnel to quickly ascend with fire hoses to the immediate vicinity of a burning structure without being exhausted. 
     The compact fire-fighting vehicle may possess a low-body chassis which may be supported on wheels. The compact fire-fighting vehicle may be powered by a combustion engine, an electric powered motor and/or any type of locomotion. The compact fire-fighting vehicle can be steered directly or by conventional remote control systems. The compact fire-fighting vehicle may have a low center of gravity so that the fire-fighting vehicle can be driven at relatively high speeds. 
     By means of the invention, a compact, self-propelled miniature fire-fighting vehicle is provided with which it is possible to drive into practically any room, through narrow corridors or alleys and around tight corners, and which can carry a substantial supply of extinguishing material in order to effectively fight small and medium-sized fires. 
     However, the fire-fighting vehicle according to the invention is also equipped to be able to be employed in combination with large fire-fighting vehicles for fighting large fires, whereby it can be operated by one man. The invention offers a completely new fire-fighting tactic. 
     These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, as described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary illustration of a compact and mobile fire-fighting attack vehicle attached to a fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary illustration of various stages in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle including a rescue basket according to this invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of a first exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle according to this invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the first exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle according to this invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle in operation mode according to this invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary fluid diagram within the compact fire-fighting vehicle according to this invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a rear view illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts another exemplary rear view illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a side view illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 11  depicts another exemplary side view of the passenger firefighter sitting in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a right view illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 13  depicts an exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle being mounted to the fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 14  depicts an exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle mounted to the fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
         FIGS. 15-18  illustrate the various components of the mounting mechanism for mounting the compact fire-fighting vehicle to the fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 19  depicts another exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle being mounted to the fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 20  depicts an exemplary illustration of the compact fire-fighting vehicle mounted to the fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 21  depicts an exemplary illustration of another alternative mounting means for securing the compact fire-fighting vehicle to the fire truck in accordance with this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
     Various devices and apparatus are known for fighting fires including fire trucks and mobile firefighting vehicles. Of the various devices, some of the mobile firefighting vehicles are large and cumbersome and are pulled atop a trailer and others are intended to be mobile, yet still require a separate vehicle and/or trailer to transport the smaller firefighting vehicle. There is a clear gap between those cumbersome vehicles known in the art and a truly compact mobile firefighting vehicle integrated as part of a conventional fire truck. This invention addresses, and offers a solution to the shortfall evident of the prior art mobile firefighting vehicles. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  mounted to a fire truck  12 . “Mounting” the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the fire truck  12  means that the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is suspended off of the ground  1  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the weight of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is being supported by the chassis  222  and/or suspension of the fire truck  12 . The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is mounted on the fire truck  12  typically when the fire truck  12  is in transit responding to an emergency situation. The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be constructed in various sizes and shapes and therefore the suspension and/or chassis  222  of the fire truck  12  must be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  as will be described in more detail below. As is also shown, a bracing mechanism  422  is shown to illustrate the additional securing of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the fire truck  12 . The compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and the various methods for mounting the compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the fire truck  12  will also be described in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fire attack vehicle  10  is small and compact in construction and intended to be mountable to the rear end of a fire truck  12 . In response to an emergency call, the fire attack vehicle  10  can be quickly disengaged and deployed to the fire. Likewise, after the emergency has been mitigated, the fire attack vehicle  10  can be quickly and conveniently re-mounted to the fire truck  12 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary illustration in which the compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be implemented. For exemplary purposes, various stages are defined to illustrate at least one intended use in which the compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be implemented. 
     In brief, in a first stage (stage  1 ), a hydrant  11  is shown attached to provide a source of water to a fire truck  12  located at a second staging area (stage  2 ). The fire truck  12  in the second stage pressurizes the water and provides the pressurized source of fluid via hose  18  to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  remotely located at a third staging area (stage  3 ) in which the fire truck  12  may have difficulty and/or may not be able to gain access for various reasons. 
     The compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  can be quickly and conveniently driven from the second staging area to the third staging area adjacent to the structural fire  13  defining the fourth staging area (fourth stage). From the third stage, a monitor  29  and/or various attack line hoses  28  may be extended from the compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  over to the structural fire  13  and a continuous flow of a fire retardant may be expelled from the hoses  28  and/or monitor  29  onto the fire  13 . Additional attack line hoses and/or other firefighting mechanisms (such as a monitor) may be integrated into the compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in an attempt to quickly attack and extinguish the fire  13 . 
     Stage  1   
     In particular, stage  1  depicts tapping into and delivering a source of water from the water hydrant  11 . The water to the hydrant  11  may be supplied by a private, county or local municipality. As shown, the water hydrant  11  may include conventional couplings, such as a five inch suction outlet  5  into which a typical fire truck  12  may connect a five inch hose  8 . Alternatively, the water hydrant  11  may include at least one smaller outlet  3  (such as, for example, a three inch squirrel tail coupling) adapted to receive a smaller hose  2 , for lower water duty supply applications. As will be described later, in a preferred embodiment, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may include a larger intake inlet  40  and at least one smaller intake inlet  40   a.    
     Any number of various suitable sizes for the hoses and couplings may be implemented in accordance with this invention. For example, the hoses  2  and  8  may be provided with: (1) a Storz type Quick connect couplings in accordance with NFPA Standard 1963, 1997 edition; or (2) a lightweight extruded aluminum alloy, hard coated, rocker lug couplings, and/or the like. The various couplings may be composed of an expansion ring type, NH threads in accordance with NFPA 1963, 1997 edition. 
     In the second staging area, the fire truck  12  may be connected to the water hydrant  11  through the use of a five inch suction hose  8 , and/or alternatively the two smaller squirrel tail hoses  2 . In use, the fire hoses  2 ,  8 , providing the supply of water, are connected at a first end to the water hydrant  11  and at a second end to the fire truck  12 . In particular, at the second end, the hoses  2 ,  8  are connected to various intakes  14  disposed on the fire truck  12 . 
     The water pressure used to deliver the water to the structural fire  13  in stage four may be supplied through the various stages under the natural pressure present within the hydrant  11 . Alternatively, the fire truck  12  may be equipped with a pump unit  15  that is used to increase and regulate the pressure of the water delivered to the structural fire in stage  4 . The pump unit  15  may be one of various commercially available pump units which may be adapted for use in accordance with this invention. Regulation of the water pressure fed from the fire truck  12  to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in the third staging area may be manually, semi-automatically and/or automatically controlled by fire personnel regulating hydraulic valves via a throttle. The progress of the fluid through the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be monitored by an instrumentation panel (and/or the like) located on the fire truck  12  and/or on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     Although a fire truck  12  is generically described in  FIG. 2 , it is to be understood that the fire truck  12  may be any number of fire emergency vehicles capable of receiving and carrying the compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , such as a pumper fire truck, a tanker fire truck, a ladder fire truck and/or any other type of fire emergency response vehicle in accordance with this invention. 
     As conventionally known, the intake and/or supply line hoses  2 ,  8  may be stored in a hose bed compartment of the fire truck  12 . The fire truck  12  may also include, for example, a Storz connector at the end of the supply hoses  2 ,  8  coming into the fire truck  12 . A coupling and/or connector on the supply hoses  2 ,  8  will mate with another Storz fitting and/or connector on the fire-fighting vehicle compact mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to connect the water into the fire attack vehicle  10 . In transport, the Storz coupling may be pre-attached to the fire attack vehicle  10  as it is carried on the rear of the fire truck  12 . Alternatively, the Storz connector may be attached once the fire attack vehicle  10  is detached from the fire truck  12  and ready for deployment to the fire. 
     In the third stage, the fire attack vehicle  10  is shown dismounted from the fire truck  12  and driven to a location remote from the fire truck  12  and adjacent to the structural fire  13 . A supply of water is transported from the fire truck  12  to the fire attack vehicle  10  via a supply hose  18 . A first end of the supply hose  18  is connected to the fire truck  12  and a second end of the supply hose  18  is attached to an intake inlet  40  located on the fire attack vehicle  10 . it is also to be understood that the supply of water may be made directly from the hydrant  11  to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  without the fire truck  12  disposed there between and pressure in the hydrant can drive the water to the fire  13  in stage  4 . Alternatively, it is possible to implement a pump unit onto the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to increase the pressure of the water being fed there through. 
     As shown and described in more detail below, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be equipped with various firefighting tools and equipment (as generically designated by reference  402 ) essential for fighting the fire  13 . For example, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be equipped with various types of firefighting tools and equipment  402 , such as for example, scene/flood/spot lights. As shown in the figures, the scene/flood/spot lights may be integrated onto various suitable locations on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . Various commercially available firefighting tools and equipment  402 , such as: fire axes, pike poles, trash hooks, rescue (stokes) baskets, dry wall hook pike poles, a hooligan bar, a lantern, hoses and hose reels, monitors, SCBA tanks  406 , SCBA seats, and various other fire tools now known or later discovered in accordance with this invention may be attached and/or stored in a compartment in the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     Additional supplies may also be carried to a scene by the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  depending upon the needs of the individual fire department. For example, there can be a prefabricated metal compartment box  408  with a pair of sleeves that can be welded to the bottom that will slide on to the front forks  140  of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . The compartment box  408  could be used to carry various supplies, such as for example, extra hose, extra nozzles, extra hand tools, ropes, other rescue supplies, extra EMS equipment, salvage tubs, salvage tarps, rehab supplies, and the like. 
     At least one advantage realized by the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and the third stage is that, due to the constraints on the fire truck  12  (due to code or physical limitation), even though the fire truck  12  could not travel up the pathway or driveway  6 , the firemen are easily and readily able to utilize the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to swiftly travel to the head of the fire  13  with all of their essential firefighting equipment with ease. Conventionally, firemen would have had to laboriously drag their heavy and cumbersome hoses and other firefighting equipment up the long driveway to the fire  13 . The advantage of this invention is that with the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , firemen could simply dismount the fire attack vehicle  10  from the fire truck  12 , hook the first end of the supply hose  18  to the fire truck  12  and the second end to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and quickly drag the supply hose  18  attached to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the third staging area adjacent to the fire  13  nearly effortlessly. 
     From a storage position on the fire truck  12 , the supply hose  18  may be unwound and aligned along a roller bar  41  (see  FIG. 1 ) disposed at the back of the fire truck  12  and/or over the smooth surface of the roller bar  41 . The roller bar  41  may be constructed as a rotatable bar that was conducive to unwinding and aligning the supply hose  18  outward and away from the fire truck  12 . The roller bar  41  may be adjustable about 360 degrees of freedom to provide a roller surface that would best facilitate the unwinding of the supply hose  18  away from the fire truck  12  with as little friction and snagging as possible. Alternatively, the roller bar  41  may be constructed as a guide into which the supply hose  18  is fed to align the unraveling of the supply hose  18 . 
     Another advantage of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is that firefighters can easily transport their firefighting equipment to the fire  13 . In accordance with this invention, transport of the supply hose  18  and the necessary firefighting equipment from the fire truck  12  up the hill adjacent to the fire  13  can be performed very quickly and with little effort. Yet another advantage to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is that the firefighters arriving at the scene of the fire  13  can engage the fire quickly, energized and ready to attack the fire. Since the safety of a person&#39;s life is the key element in an emergency, with the assistance of the fire attack vehicle  10 , firemen are able to perform search, rescue and firefighting operations in an expedient manner. Likewise, the fire attack vehicle  10  further improves on the response time to overhaul and suppress a fire. 
     As mentioned previously, as well as having firefighting capabilities, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is equipped with search and rescue capabilities. In search and rescue mode, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be equipped with human locating technologies (such as infra-red) to locate a victim. Once the victim has been located, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be use to extract the victim from the dangerous environment. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  adapted to be used with a rescue basket  400 . As shown, the rescue basket  400  may be carried by the forks  140  of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . In use, the rescue basket  400  may be secured to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  with the use of fork receiving collars  404 . The forks  140  may be slid into the fork receiving collars  404  and the rescue basket  400  may be secured thereto. The injured victim may be raised a safe distance above the ground. That is, the forks  140  may be raised within the fork lift guide track  410  to a safe height where the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may then carry the victim out of danger to safety. 
     Although  FIG. 3  shows the rescue basket  400  aligned lengthwise along the length of the forks  140 , it is also within the contemplation of this mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to orient the rescue basket perpendicular to the length of the forks  140  and/or any other suitable position in which the rescue basket may be secured to the forks  140 . The rescue basket  400  may be secured to the forks  140  with any number of securing methods, including but not limited to, a clamp, a pin, a strap and/or any other mode for securing the rescue basket  400  to the forks  140 . 
       FIG. 3  also shows a ladder  403  adapted for use and disposed on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . The ladder  403  may be any type of ladder, such as an attic ladder, a roof ladder, and/or a 24-foot extension ladder. The ladder  403  may be placed in a variety of different locations, such as on top of the driver&#39;s cage, or on top of the front forks  140  for rescue and/or second story access to a structure. The ladders  403  may be taken off the fire truck  12  and secured to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  by clamps, straps, and/or any other means for securing the ladder  403 . 
     Referring back to  FIG.2 , from the fire mobile attack vehicle  10  located in stage  3 , attack line supply hoses  28  may be adapted for use with the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . The attack line supply hoses  28  may be connected at a first end to the fire attack vehicle  10 . The second end of the attack line hose  28  may be unwound and extended from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the fire  13  by a firefighter. Various suitable commercially available firefighting reels and spools may be adapted for use with the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in accordance with this invention. As shown in stage four and by way of example, two 1-¾ inch attack line hoses  28  may be extended from the fire-fighting mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to a location at and/or in the structure on fire  13 . As shown, the attack line hoses  28  are unreeled from a reel mounted on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the fire  13 . Likewise, it is possible to drive the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  close enough to douse the fire  13  with the use of the monitor  29  mounted on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be plumbed with any size hose appropriate to deliver a desired amount of water to the fire  13 . For example, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be equipped with a 5-inch or 4-inch supply hose  18  from the fire truck  12 . The supply hose  18  may be fitted to supply at least one of a 5-inch NH intake hose, and/or a 2.5-inch NH discharge valve used to supply the at least one fire attack supply hose  28  and/or a fire monitor  29  mounted to the fire attack vehicle  10 . Just as described on the fire truck  12 , the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and/or the attack supply hoses  28  may be equipped with valves used to control the incoming pressurized volumetric flow of water from the main supply hose  18  coming from the fire truck  12 . 
     It is also to be understood, that the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may supply any number of fire retardant materials to the fire  13 , such as for example, water, foam and/or any other type of extinguishing material now known or later discovered in accordance with this invention. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary illustration of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . As shown, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is a self-contained drivable unit including a structural chassis  22  including a reinforced passenger compartment  20 , wheels  19 , and a steering mechanism  21 . As never done before and in accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is illustrated as a mobile vehicle including a pair of forks  140  used for more than merely carrying and hauling objects from one location to another. The forks  140  include a plethora of various uses including storing the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  onto a storage frame disposed on a fire truck  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Likewise, the forks  140  have additional other uses including fire and rescue applications. For example, as previously shown and described in  FIG. 3 , the forks  140  may be used to hold a rescue basket  400  on top of which a victim may be secured and removed from a dangerous environment in a safe and expedient manner. The forks  140  may also be used for applications commonly used by conventional fork-lifts, such as by lifting and hauling heaving objects on a flat palette-like base. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the wheels  19  of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be composed of air filled tires, solid rubber tires, track wheels (e.g., for example tank-track conveyor tracks), and/or any other efficient types of transport mechanism for ground locomotion. 
     It is also to be understood that the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be a self contained unit. That is, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may include various compartments for storage of various materials and other items useful in fighting fires and handling other emergencies. For example, at least one compartment  25  may be provided for storing supplies, fire extinguishing material, such as water, foam and/or any other fire retardant now known or later developed in accordance with this invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , the compartments may have other uses. For example, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be constructed with at least one elongated hose compartment  408  into which one or more hoses may be stored. The hose compartment  408  may be used to store the supply hoses from the fire truck to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and/or other hoses that are extended from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the fire  13 . Likewise, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the compartment may be composed of various smaller sub-compartments  39   c  and  39   e . As shown, sub-compartment  39   c  includes door  39   d  and sub-compartment  39   e  includes door  39   f.    
     In operation, if the supply hose  18  is stored in the hose compartment  408 , a first end of the hose  18  may be attached to the fire truck  12  and as the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  drives away from the fire truck  12 , the supply hose  18  may be unwound from within the hose compartment  408  in the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     Alternatively and as shown in  FIG. 6 , if the attack hoses  28   a ,  28   b  are stored in the compartment  39   c ,  39   e , when the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  arrives adjacent to the fire  13 , the firefighters may connect one end of the attack hose  28   a ,  28   b  to the outlets  53   c  (not shown) and  53   d  of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , and the other end may be conveniently extended by the firefighter to a location adjacent to, or inside of, the structural fire  13 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may, or may not, be an all wheel drive vehicle and may be powered by one of a variety of different engine  23  types. The engine  23  may be a combustion engine and/or a battery powered electric propulsion vehicle. As an electric fire attack vehicle  10 , the vehicle  10  is preferably driven by at least one electric motor from which current is drawn from the batteries. The engine  23  will act directly at least one wheel  19  to propel the fire attack vehicle  10 . Foot pedal controls (such as brake and acceleration) will project out of the standing platform  33  for use by the driver. Additionally, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be equipped with a hand-operated brake (not shown). 
     As an electric powered attack vehicle  10 , the vehicle  10  may include a compartment  24  into which the rechargeable batteries may be stored. When the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is re-mounted onto the fire tuck  12 , a recharging line may be reattached between the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and an electric power source on the fire truck  12  to recharge the batteries (regular or rechargeable and or any other charging medium) on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  for the next use. 
     The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may also be remotely controlled via a wireless remote control device (not shown). The advantage of the remote control capabilities is that the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  could move closer to the fire  13  and attack the flames at a much closer range, withstanding higher heat temperatures than a human can endure. 
     The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may also be equipped with various types of rescue equipment, breaking material, firefighting equipment and tools  402  essential for fighting a fire, including, but not limited to, for example, fire axes, Hooligan entry tools, fiberglass pike poles, a stokes or rescue basket, dry wall hook pike poles, fire extinguishers, portable rechargeable flashlights, and any other type of firefighting equipment and/or tools necessary in fighting a fire which are now known or later discovered. As described above, various equipment and other firefighting tools  402  may be secured onto brackets on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and/or stored in drawers or compartments  25  provided on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to store other firefighting tools or the like. 
     The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may also be equipped with a radio communications device  26  so that the firefighters traveling with the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  can easily communicate back with an incident command base proscribing instructions to the firemen. Alternatively, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may automatically send information back to the incident command base autonomously or via an instruction issued by remote control from the incident command base. 
     Various types of data information may be sent between the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and the incident command base location. For example, images may be taken by a camera (not shown) mounted on the fire attack vehicle  10 . The images may be wirelessly transmitted back to the incident command base (or visa-versa) so that fire personnel fighting the fire can gather as much intelligence about the fire in order to combat the fire. The mobile attack vehicle  10  may also include a portable mounted thermal imaging camera (not shown) and an embedded display through which the firefighters responding to the emergency can view heat diagrams of the victims in the fire. Topographical layout (or infrared images) may captured and transmitted from the incident command base to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  so that firefighting personnel can view (in otherwise very difficult to see areas—such as smoke filled rooms) the surrounding areas in which they are traversing. 
     Audible sounds may be picked up and amplified by microphones (not shown) located on the fire attack vehicle  10 , such as an injured person yelling out for help. A speaker (not shown) may be mounted on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  so that the incident command base station may communicate information from the incident command base through the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to persons in the vicinity of the fire  13 . A variety of different uses may be employed through the use of the communications device embedded on the fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     A monitor  29  may be integrated onto the fire attack vehicle  10 . Any number of commercially available monitors may be adapted for portable use in accordance with this invention. The monitor  29  is provided with a fire retardant fluid such as water, foam or some other fluid used to combat the fire  13 . The monitor  29  includes an adjustable spray unit  30 . The spray unit  30  can be adjusted by a handle  31 . The monitor  29  may be employed as a water nozzle and/or a foam cannon. A valve  33  may be used to operably switch the monitor  29  between the use as a water nozzle and as a foam cannon. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates in more detail attack hose  28  lines implemented to reach remote locations from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and/or other inaccessible locations difficult for the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to reach. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , additional attack hoses  28  may be fluidly connected to the intake inlet  40  in the fire attack vehicle  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 , fire attack line hoses  28  may be extended to a fire  13  quite a distance away from the fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  includes a platform  27  defined at the top portion of storage compartment  25  located adjacent to the rear wheel. During operation, the platform  27  may serve to support a pair of seats  34  onto which a driver and a passenger firefighter may be supported. The seats  34  in the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be configured in a variety of different ways. For example, the seats may be fixed or constructed as a pedestal swivel mounted seat. The seat  34  may be adapted to include and/or receive a self contained breathing apparatus pack (SCBA  58 ), as is mounted in a conventional fire truck  12 . The SCBA seats may be equipped with an appropriate SCBA bracket based on the individual needs of the firefighter so that the firefighter may comfortably sit in the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  with their removable SCBA pack  58  comfortably and accessibly located within the seat  34 . 
     Various commercially available SCBA&#39;s may be adapted in accordance with this invention. Likewise, the SCBA incorporated herein may be a fixed and/or pedestal swivel mounted self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The SCBA may be adapted for various uses, such as for example for forward or reverse seating and for sitting or standing and/or the like. Various adaptations are possible in accordance with this invention. 
     The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may include various illumination devices, e.g., headlights  35 , emergency flashing lights  36 , tail and brake lights  37 , and a search light  38 , and/or fire scene lights  38  mounted to the fire attack vehicle  10 . As mentioned above, various adaptations are possible for an illumination lamp in accordance with this invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may also include attached to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , a step plate  440  onto which the passenger firefighter may securely stand while in route to the fire  13 . The step plate  440  may be a fixed structure or it may be a folding step plate onto which a passenger firefighter  432  may stand and secured herself. A trailer hitch (not shown) and/or various other devices may be attached to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in accordance with this invention. 
     The hoses, such as the attack hoses  28  of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be stored in a variety of different places. For example, the hoses may be stored on a retractable reel assembly  39  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Likewise, the hoses may be stored in a hose storage compartment  39   c ,  39   e  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In use, one end of a first attack hose  28   a  is connected to a first valve  53   c  and a second end is extended by a firefighter to the fire  13 . Likewise,  FIG. 6  also illustrates a second attack hose  28   b  connected to a second valve  53   d  and a second end is extended by a firefighter to the fire  13 . 
     The attack hoses  28  may attack hoses of various sizes, including for example: 1-¾″, 2″, 3″, 3-½″ fire hose attack lines, and the like. The attack hoses  28  may be wound on the retractable reel assembly  39  (as shown) and/or flat loaded in a tray (not shown) on the fire attack vehicle  10 . In the alternative and as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the hoses may be stored in the hose boxes  408 ,  39   c ,  39   e  and unwound during use. In each of these configurations the advantage to the firefighter is that they do not have to carry or drag the heavy hoses out to the fire, instead, the hose may be quickly and easily transported on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  from the fire truck  12  to the fire  13 . 
     Similar to the roller bar  41  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the attack line hoses  28  may be unwound from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  along a roller bar  41  attached to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and/or over a smooth surface that is rotatable and conducive to unwinding as well as to providing for alignment of the attack line hoses  28  outward and away from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . The roller bar  41  may be adjustable about 360 degrees of freedom to provide a smooth roller surface that would best facilitate the unwinding of the attack line hoses  28  away from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  with as little friction and snagging as possible. 
     The fire attack vehicle includes a pair of forks  140  that are slidably received within a pair of respective spaced apart fork support bars or sleeves  118 . The forks  140  may be retractably disposed on the lower end of the fire attack vehicle  10 . The forks  140  may be configured to retractably slide into and out of the sleeves  118 . The sleeves  118  may be longitudinally extended from the front of the mobile attack vehicle  10  to the rear of the vehicle  10 . Explained and described in more detail later in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , when the forks  140  are extended, the forks  140  may be used to secure the mobile attack vehicle  10  to a mounting mechanism located at the rear of the fire truck  12 . When the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is in use, the forks  140  are tucked away retracted and stored within the sleeves. 
     The forks  140  may be adjusted so that the forks may be adjusted from a narrow positioning to a wide spaced apart positioning. Various advantages may be realized from the adjustable forks. In one position, the forks may be adapted to carry items, such as the rescue basket  400  described and shown in  FIG. 3 . Likewise, the forks may have other added benefits in that other useful applications may be provided with the forks  140 . For example, the forks  140  may be used as a battering ram to break through walls of a burning or otherwise secured structure. Various attachments may be adapted and secured to the forks t assist in the battering of a wall or other surface. The forks  140  may be used to retrieve and lower a victim from a second floor window to the ground level in a burning structure. The forks  140  may also be lift and remove heavy objects, such as for example, where a second vehicle is lying on top of a first crush vehicle and a victim lodged in the first lower crushed vehicle. The forks  140  may be used to lift the top vehicle off of the lower vehicle to allow egress to the victim trapped in the lower vehicle. A variety of different applications are possible through the use of the forks  140  on the mobile fire assisted vehicle  10 . 
     It should be noted that various types of vehicles may be adapted in accordance with this invention to include a mounting mechanism. For example, an all terrain quad and/or three wheeled vehicle may be retrofitted with the mounting mechanism in accordance with this invention and portably attached to the rear end of the fire truck  12 . Furthermore, various implementations are possible and those described herein are merely exemplary. The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  can even include outriggers to provider additional support to its base when it has arrived to its location at stage  3  described above. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  as a three wheel  19  mobile fire attack vehicle  10  including forks  140  arranged much like a conventional fork lift. In general, the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is integrated with a monitor  29 , at least one intake inlet  40  for receiving water from a water source, such as a fire truck  12 , and a reel assembly  39  for carrying at least one attack hose. Likewise, the hoses may be stored in any convenient location on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , such as in the hose compartments  39   c ,  39   e.    
       FIG. 7  illustrates a plumbing diagram for an exemplary fluid system  42  within the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  according to the present invention. FIGS.  3  and  6 - 11  also illustrate the exemplary fluid system  42 . In more detail,  FIG. 6  shows a main intake inlet  40  disposed at the rear end of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . Throughout the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , such as for example along the chassis  22  and other structurally portions of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 , various elements of the fluid systems  42  may constructed and interconnected through a series of plumbing pipes  43   a ,  53   a  and  53   b  as demonstrated in  FIG. 7 . Although described as being plumbed within the platform  27  of the chassis  22 , the fluid system  42  may be plumbed anywhere along in the fire attack vehicle  10  as will be shown and described in FIGS.  3  and  6 - 11 . 
     In particular, the fluid diagram of  FIG. 7  illustrates intake inlet  40  into which a main supply of water is received from the main supply hose  18  extending from the fire truck  12 . Smaller intake inlets  40   a  are also provided on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to receive a supply of a fire extinguishing fluid. As shown, valves  43   b  may be provided to control the supply of fluid entering into the fluid system  42 . Various commercially available valves may be use in accordance with this invention, including by not limited to, a stop valve, a ball cock valve, an electric actuator valve, and/or any other valve suitable for controlling the flow of fluid through the various intake inlets  40 ,  40   a . The valves  43   b  may be controlled manually, semi-automatically and/or automatically in accordance with this invention. 
     The various intake inlets  40 ,  40   a  provide on the fed into the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  can supply various types of an external extinguishing material, e.g., from the hydrant  11  and/or from the fire truck  12 , such as a pumper fire truck. Among the various types of an external extinguishing material that may be fed into the intake inlets  40 ,  40   a  may include, but are not limited to water, foam, a chemical extinguishing material and/or any other fire retardant material now known or later discovered. 
     It is to be understood that the intake inlet may be comprised of various inlets adapted for various size inlet attachments, such as for example on a fire truck  12 , at least a first larger inlet (herein shown as intake inlet  40 ) is provided and at least another smaller inlet (herein shown as smaller intake inlets  40   a ) may be provided to receive smaller inlet hose fluid sources (such as the three inch squirrel tail hoses on the water hydrant  11  described in  FIG. 2 ). 
     By way of example in  FIG. 7 , the intake inlet  40  will be the intake inlet commonly referred to herein. The main intake inlet  40  may be connected via a plumbing pipe  43   a  to a first tank  47  and/or a second tank  48 . The first tank  47  may be disposed as a water tank and the second tank  48  may be provided as a concentrated foam tank. The plumbing pipe  32   a  may be connected to a bottom side of the first tank  47  and to a bottom side of the second tank  48 . A drain  49  may be provided along the plumbing pipe  43   a  at a low point in the fluid system  42  to drain any remaining fluid in the fluid system  42  after use. 
     The plumbing pipe  43   a  may include a water filter  50  in the fluid system  42 . Furthermore, an additive mixer  45  may be disposed along the plumbing pipe  43   a . The additive mixer  45  may be connected though a regulating valve  45   a  to an adapter  46  in plumbing pipe  43   a . In the additive mixer  45 , various materials may be added in the fluid system  42  as a fire retardant to be delivered to the fire  13 . The fluid extinguishing water entering the adapter  46  may be enriched with a concentrate added in the additive mixer  45  to produce a fire retardant material. The additive mixer  45  may be included at a variety of different locations within the fluid system  42 . 
     The adapter  46  may be provided as an induction/metering device on the pipe  32   a . A regulating valve  45   a  may be provided at the bottom side of the additive mixture  45  to act as an on/off switch for the flow of, for example, concentrated foam into the downstream pipe  43   a.    
     A pump  52  may be provided in the fluid system  42  positioned along the plumbing pipe  43   a  downstream of the additive mixture  45 . The pump  52  may be provided to draw the foam, water and/or other retardant from the main intake, and/or the respective tanks  47 ,  48  though the induction-metering device  46  at a desire quantity. In the absence of the tanks  47 ,  48 , water and/or other fire retardant may be drawn in from the fire truck  12 , directly from the water hydrant  11 , and/or other fire preventing fluid source in which the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be connected. 
     Downstream of the pump  52 , the plumbed pipe  43   a  may include a Y-pipe coupling  53 . Various commercially available Y-pipe coupling devices may be adapted for use in accordance with this invention, including but not limited to, a commercially available Snap-tite gated wye fluid connection. As shown, various valves may be integrated into the Y-coupling to control the flow of the fluid being discharged. A plumbing first leg  53   a  in the Y-pipe coupling  53  may include a first valve  53   c  for a first attack line hose  28   a  that emergency personnel may use to remotely fight the fire  13 . Likewise, a second plumbing leg  53   b  in the Y-pipe coupling  53  may include a second valve  53   d  for a second attack line hose  28  that a second emergency personnel may use to remotely fight the fire  13 . 
     The first and second attack line hoses  28   a ,  28   b  may be stored on retractable reel assemblies  39   a ,  39   b  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) and/or in a hose box compartments  408 ,  39   c ,  39   e  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . Each of the attack line hoses  28   a ,  28   b  may be extended from their respective retractable reel assemblies  39   a ,  39   b  and/or hose box compartments  39   c ,  39   e  as the firefighting personnel walk away and drag the attack line hoses  28   a ,  28   b  from the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  out toward the fire  13 . A suitable nozzle  57   a ,  57   b  may be provided on the attack line hoses  28   a ,  28   b  to control the flow of liquid through each of the attack line hoses  28   a ,  28   b.    
     Beyond the Y-pipe coupling  53  split, the plumbing pipe defining the first leg  53   a  and the second leg  53   b  may re-converge at a junction  54  to form a single plumbing pipe  55 . The plumbing pipe  55  may further extend to a predetermined location on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to a monitor  29  in which the fluid supply may be supply thereto. 
     The monitor  29  may be, either manually or electrically, manipulated to direct the fire-retardant liquid toward the fire  13  from a safe distance away from the actual fire  13 . Various controls may be implemented to regulate and control the fire retardant onto the fire  12 . For example, the manipulation of at least one control valve  56  would allow the operator of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to properly select the usage and amount of the fire-retardant liquid to be applied and its application onto the fire  13 . Alternatively, the manipulation of the various valves on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be performed remotely by a remote operator having a remote control device located safely at distant location such as from an incident command base. 
     FIGS.  3  and  7 - 11  illustrate the versatility in which the fluid system  42  may be implemented onto the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . For example,  FIG. 8  shows a rear view of an exemplary mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in accordance with this invention. The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  depicts a pair of firefighters  430 ,  432  (only the passenger firefighter  432  is shown and not the firefighter driving  430 ) riding on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . For safety precautions, the passenger firefighter  432  is shown harnessed behind the driver firefighter  430  into a passenger position and bracing his position by gripping onto supports  412 . The passenger firefighter  432  may be positioned in a variety of different ways. For example, as better shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 , the passenger firefighter  432  is in a standing position atop a standing platform  440  during transport on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . For safety precautions, it is to be understood that the passenger firefighter who may be standing or sitting is to be harnessed and/or tethered to the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     In the alternative,  FIG. 11  depicts the passenger firefighter  432  being secured on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in a seat  34 , such as an SCBA type seat in which the seat is adapted to receive an SCBA tank. It is to be understood that the firefighting personnel may be suitably positioned anywhere on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in accordance with this invention. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 8 , the fluid system  42  diagram shows a main intake inlet  40  and two smaller intake inlets  40   a . The main intake inlet  40  is attached to a main supply hose  18  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) from which a fire retardant may be fed in from the fire truck  12  or a water hydrant  11 . 
     In particular and as shown in dashed line in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the fluid retardant enters the fluid system and is allowed to flow to a first outlet valve  53   c  on a first side of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and a second outlet valve  53   d  located on an opposite side of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a first attack line hose  28   a  having nozzle  57   a  is attached to first outlet valve  53   c  on a first side of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . Likewise, a second attack line hose  28   a  having nozzle  57   b  is attached to second outlet valve  53   d  on a second side of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts another exemplary configuration for the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in which a pair of firefighters  430 ,  432 , i.e., a passenger firefighter  432  and a driving firefighter  430  are shown riding on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . In this configuration, the passenger firefighter  432  is riding on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  on an opposite side. The fluid system  42  diagram also shown in hidden lines shows another exemplary adaptation in accordance with this invention. 
       FIGS. 10 ,  3  and  12  illustrate exemplary left and right side views, respectively. In  FIG. 10 , the supply hose  18  is shown attached to the main intake inlet  40  and the fluid system includes plumbing pipes  42  which connect the main intake inlet  40  to the smaller intake inlet  40   a  and onward to the monitor  29  located on top of the drivers passenger compartment. The hose reel  39  is also shown attached at a lower end of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3  which illustrates an exemplary right side view in which the monitor  29  is located on top of the fork lift guide rail  410  structure. Likewise, the fluid system  42  includes plumbing pipes which connect the main intake inlet  40  to the smaller intake inlet  40   a  and onward to the monitor  29  located on top of the fork lift guide rail  410  structure. This view is used to illustrate the fact that the monitor  29  and the hose reel  39  may be interchangeably located at various locations on the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates yet another exemplary illustration in which the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  includes a front mounted monitor  29  and a front mounted hose reel  39 . In this embodiment, the mounting mechanism for mounting onto the fire truck  12  is not shown. It is understood that the mounting mechanism in accordance with this mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is variable and may incorporate any number of mounting mechanisms, even one in which the mounting mechanism is retractable and can be place out of view when viewing a side view such as in this illustration. 
     It should also be noted that the configuration of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  and the component adapted for the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  are not intended to be limited to the particular embodiment which is shown and described herein, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate one exemplary method for mounting the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  to the rear end of a fire truck  12 . Conventionally, a fire truck  12  carries a hose, water, rescue equipment and tools to fight a fire. However, never before has a fire truck  12 , or any emergency response vehicle, carried a compact and portable fire attack vehicle  10  directly on the emergency response vehicle used to respond to fires as is shown described and shown in accordance with this invention. 
     The compact fire attack vehicle  10  may be portably mounted to the fire truck  12  in a plurality of different ways. An analogy can be drawn to the conventional mounting of a forklift truck to a semi trailer such as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,695, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Conventionally, the sole purpose of a forklift truck or vehicle mounted forklift has been exclusively used to allow a truck driver to load their vehicle, drive to a customer and unload their vehicle without the necessity to use anybody else&#39;s materials handling equipment. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,695 and for a conventional forklift mounting, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entireity. As is evident in this application, the purpose, use, system, device and method in accordance with this invention is in stark contrast to the conventional art described above with respect to fork lifts. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  depict the fire attack vehicle  10  mounted to an end of the fire truck  12  vehicle chassis  222 . Although, in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the lift mechanism is shown on the fire attack vehicle  10 , in accordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the lift mechanism  60  may be disposed, either on the end of the fire truck  12  attached to its chassis  222  or on the fire attack vehicle  10  (as shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the fire truck  12  vehicle chassis  222  may be equipped with a reinforced composite base support framework. The mounting structure for the fire attack vehicle  10  may be configured based on the unique needs of the fire attack vehicle  10  and may borrow from conventional support mounting structures which are currently known for mounting a fork lift onto the rear end of a trailer. 
     In accordance with this invention, the fire attack vehicle  10  is provided for fighting a fire  13  and is mounted to the rear end of the fire truck  12 . Significant improvements over conventional art are made as described herein to enable the fire truck  12  to receive and securely fasten the fire attack vehicle  10  to the rear end chassis  222  of the fire truck  12 . 
     Since it is possible to construct the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  in a variety of different shapes and sizes, additional support to the fire truck  12  carrying a larger mobile fire attack vehicle  10  may be necessary. By way of example, it may be necessary to reinforce the chassis of the fire truck  12  to support the additional weight by a larger mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . In many instances, a fire truck is constructed with a single rear axle. If the mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is sufficiently large, it may be necessary to reinforce the fire truck  12  with a tandem axle due to the additional weight of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . Additional reinforcement may be made to the fire truck  12  to account for the additional weight of the mobile fire attack vehicle  10 . 
       FIGS. 15-18  illustrate the employment of an exemplary mounting frame  100 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , the mounting frame  100  includes a rear support beam  108  and a front support beam  120  interconnected by a pair of spaced-apart hanger plates  105 . Each hanger plate  105  has a flanged upper end  106  that provides a laterally extending chassis engaging surface. A wheel rest plate  109  may be mounted at each end of the rear support beam  108 . A pair of fork support sleeves  118 , each for engagement with a fork of a forklift truck are mounted on the support framework between and substantially parallel to the hanger plates  105 . A crash bar  110  is mounted at a rear end of the hanger plates  105 . 
     In more detail, the mounting frame  100  may be secured at a rear end of the fire truck  12  and being suspended from longitudinal beams  130  on the chassis  222  of the fire truck  12 . The mobile fire attack vehicle  10  is mountably engagable with the mounting frame  100  to mount the fire attack vehicle  10  on the fire truck  12  for transport. 
     The mounting frame  100  may include a composite prefabricated base support framework including a pair of spaced-apart substantially upright hanger plates  105  of generally triangular configuration with a substantially horizontal flange  106  at an upper end of each hanger plate  105 . A front support beam  120  is mounted at a front end of the hanger plates  105  and a rear support beam  108  extends between a lower end of each hanger plate  105  and projects outwardly there from. A wheel rest plate  109  is mounted at each outer end of the support beam  108 . 
     A crash bar  110  is mounted at a rear end of the hanger plates  105 . Outer ends  111 ,  112  of the crash bar  110  are foldable between a stored position alongside the hanger plates  105  and an extended position in line with a central body portion  113  of the crash bar  110 . Each outer portion  111 ,  112  may carry indicating and brake lamps  114  for the carrier vehicle  2 . 
     A pair of spaced-apart fork support bars or sleeves  118  is mounted between the crash bar  110  and the front support beam  120  extending between the hanger plates  105  at a front end of the hanger plates  105 . Wheel stops  122  associated with each wheel rest plate  109  are mounted adjacent each outer end of the front support beam  120 . Thus as shown in  FIG. 18  when a wheel  125  (shown in broken outline) of the fire attack vehicle  10  is seated on the wheel rest plate  109 , a front end of the wheel  125  engages against the wheel stop  122 . 
       FIG. 18  shows an exploded inverted view of the mounting frame  100 . Hanger plates  105  are formed with slots  130 , 131 , 132  for reception of the rear support beam  108 , crash bar  110  and front support beam  120  respectively. The rear support beam  108  which is of box section material is inserted into the slots  130  and with the hanger plates  105  spaced-apart a preset desirable distance and in generally parallel alignment, the rear support beam  108  may be welded to the hanger plates  105 . 
     The wheel rest plates  109  each have a sleeve  134  which slidably engages an outer end of the rear support beam  108 . Thus, the spacing between the wheel rest plates  109  can be adjusted to a required distance and then the wheel rest plates  109  are fixed in position by welding. The crash bar  110  and front support beam  120  are inserted in their associated slots  131 ,  132  respectively and welded in position. 
     Each of the fork sleeves  118  is then mounted spaced-apart between the crash bar  110  and front support beam  120  and welded in position. It will be noted that the fork sleeves  118  may rest on a top surface of the crash bar  110  and engage an underside of the front support beam  120 . The front support beam  120  in turn is located within cut-out slots at a front end of the hanger plates  105 . This construction gives a strong and rigid structure which resists the tendency of the front ends of the fork sleeves  118  to lift due to the cantilevered effect of the fire attack vehicle  10  when raising the fire attack vehicle  10  on to the mounting frame  100 . 
     In use, the mounting frame  100  is mounted on the chassis  222  at a rear end of the fire truck  12 . Spacers  136  may be mounted between longitudinal beams  103  of the fire truck  12  and the flanges  106  of the hanger plates  105  for height adjustment of the mounting frame  100  on the fire truck  12  chassis. As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the fire attack vehicle  10  can engage its forks  140  in the sleeves  118  to raise the fire attack vehicle  10  and engage its front wheels  19  of the fire attack vehicle  10  with the wheel rest plates  109 . Straps, chains or ties (not shown) are then engaged between the body of the fire attack vehicle  10  and lugs at a rear end of the fire truck  12  to secure the fire attack vehicle  10  in position carried on the wheel rest plates  109  held forwardly against the wheel stops  122 . The fork controls can then be operated to take the weight of the fire attack vehicle  10  off the forks so that the mounting frame  100  carries the fire attack vehicle  10  through the wheel rest plates  109 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mounting frame  100  can be readily easily prefabricated and then simply attached to a chassis at a rear end of the fire truck  12 . Typically, the fire truck  12  has a chassis  222  including a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal beams, and the spacing between the beams may vary between different sizes and constructions of vehicle. The flanged upper end of the hanger plates accommodates a range of sizes and the hanger plates may be mounted directly onto the beams on the fire truck  12  or spacers or mounting brackets may be provided to attach the upper end of the hanger plates to the longitudinal beams of the fire truck  12  chassis  22 . 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate another exemplary mounting frame  200 . This exemplary mounting frame  200  is provided to illustrate that the lifting mechanism may be disposed as part of the mounting frame  200 . In more detail, the mounting frame  200  includes a support bracket  306  on to which the mounting frame  200  may be supported to the chassis  222  of the fire truck  12 . A turret  301  is adapted for use and attached to the support bracket  306 . The turret  301  is rotatable about a central flange connection  302 . 
     The turret  301  may be rotated under the control of a variety of different power mechanisms. For example, the turret  301  may be rotated by manual, hydraulic, electrical, mechanical means and/or any other means for rotating the turret  301 . 
     The mounting frame  200  further includes a pair of spaced apart fork support flanges  303 . The fork support flanges  303  receive and support the forks  140  disposed there through. As shown in  FIG. 19 , when it is time to mount the fire attack vehicle  10  back onto the mounting frame  200 , the sleeves  118  on the fire attack vehicle  10  are aligned with the forks  140  on the mounting frame  200 . When the fire attack vehicle  10  has been aligned, the forks  140  are extended no further than the ends  141  of the forks  140 . The forks  140  are received by the sleeves  118  of the fire attack vehicle  10 . The forks  140  are then locked into place in the sleeves  118  and a secure connection is made between the fire attack vehicle  10  and the mounting frame  200 . 
       FIG. 20  depicts the lifting feature of the mounting frame  200 . After the secure connection is made between the fire attack vehicle and the mounting frame  200 , the turret  301  is rotated counter clockwise and the fire attack vehicle is lifted from the ground into a compact storage position adjacent to the rear end of the fire truck  12 . The fork controls of the mounting frame  200  are operated in any conventional manner. 
     The fire attack vehicle  10  can then be secured in the mounted position. The fire attack vehicle may be fastened in a variety of different ways, such as for example, with by a strap, a chain (not shown), a pin connection (not shown) and/or any other method for fastening the fire attack vehicle in the mounted position in accordance with this invention. 
     Various features described above with respect to the mounting frame  100  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  may be employed in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. For example, the system for mounting the fire attack vehicle shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  may include additional component parts, such as a wheel rest plates, and the like. It is to be understood that this exemplary embodiment is not intended to be limited and may be modified in accordance with this invention. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates another exemplary mounting frame  300  for mounting the fire attack vehicle  10  to an end of the fire truck  12  vehicle chassis  222 . In accordance with this embodiment, the fire truck  12  may be fitted with the mounting frame  300  for carrying the fire attack vehicle  10 . In  FIG. 15 , the mounting frame  300  is configured as a shallow open top box including a first panel  201  adjacent to the rear end of the fire truck  12 , a second panel  202  opposite the first panel  201 , a rear end panel  203  and a bottom panel  204  provided to support the fire attack vehicle  10 . The mounting frame  300  includes a ramp panel  205  which is configured as a ramp having ramp supports  206 . The fire attack vehicle  10  can be loaded and unloaded via the ramp panel  205 . The ramp panel  205  is retractable so that the fire attack vehicle  10  can be loaded and unloaded onto the mounting frame  300 . 
     In operation, the retractable ramp panel  205  is unlocked and lowered to the ground. The fire attack vehicle  10  is then allowed to drive off of the ramp panel  205  over to a remote area in which the structural fire is ablaze. When the use and operation of the fire attack vehicle  10  has been completed, the fire attack vehicle  10  can be driven back up the ramp panel  205  onto the mounting frame  300  and secured in position for travel. 
     The various exemplary embodiments shown and described herein are provided to illustrate and describe additional exemplary features and functionality in accordance with this invention. The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.