50 Panel

Vital Statistics

Year	1998
Make/Model	GMC 1500 4x4
Engine/Fuel	Vortec 5.7L V8 Gasoline
Purpose(s)	Utility Service Grass & Brush Fire Response General Assistance
Specialized Equipment	Grass/Brush Fire Unit Emergency Warning Signs Arrow Board
Notes	50 Panel is a 4x4 pickup truck donated by TransCanada Pipelines Limited to Redwood Meadows Emergency Services in 2004. It replaced a 1984 4x4 Suburban that was used for personnel transport and rough terrain access. Like all other RMES apparatus, 50 Panel was refurbished by the membership upon its arrival at the station. New LED and strobe emergency lighting was installed, and a Vector lightbar was donated by IPS. The truck has many benefits and advantages over the previous Suburban: Being 14 years newer means it will of course last much longer, and benefits from updated technology such as shift-on-the-fly 4x4 instead of manual locking hubs. Frame-mounted trailer hitch allows us to tow trailers and other such things. Skid-mounted water tank and pump allowing the truck to operate as a second "bush buggy" in case of larger grass fires. The truck is used in both non-emergency business, i.e. attending meetings or picking up equipment, and emergency responses as well. When responding as an emergency unit, it can respond with anywhere from one to five personnel.