Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department

Utility & Special Operations Apparatus

Riverhead Fire Department's utility and special operations apparatus provides versatile support for brush fires, beach responses, marine operations and incidents in areas where access may be limited.

BRAT 6-2-8 operating at a mulch fire at Gala Fresh

6-2-8 BRAT

Brush Response Attack Truck

Bulldog “Little Boss” Quick Attack / Ford F-550 4×4

6-2-8 is a compact and highly maneuverable quick-attack apparatus designed for brush, beach and off-road incidents. Its size allows it to operate in areas that may be difficult to access with larger fire apparatus while still carrying water, a portable pump and specialized firefighting equipment.

Operational Role

The BRAT was selected to support operations in Riverhead's brush, farmland and beach areas, including locations with soft or sandy terrain. Its four-wheel-drive chassis, lift kit and super-single tire conversion provide additional off-road capability.

The apparatus is also capable of towing the department's rescue boat while remaining maneuverable enough for normal roadways, parking garages and other confined locations.

Soon after entering service, 6-2-8 was used to handle two separate mulch fires along Old Country Road, operating at Gala Fresh and BJ's Wholesale Club.

Specifications

Unit Designation	6-2-8 BRAT
Apparatus Type	Bulldog “Little Boss” Quick Attack Brush Truck
Chassis	Ford F-550 4×4 extended cab
Off-Road Package	Buckstop super-single conversion and lift kit
Body	Custom Bulldog flatbed body with blacked-out finish
Compartments	Three fabricated underbody storage compartments
Water Tank	300 gallons
Pump	Darley 2BE centrifugal portable pump with a 24-horsepower Kubota engine, rated at 380 gallons per minute
Saltwater Capability	Pump equipped with a bronze adapter for saltwater use
Monitor	Elkhart Brass Sidewinder wildland monitor
Booster Reel	Hannay 12-volt electric-rewind reel with 100 feet of 1-inch booster hose
Warning and Scene Lighting	Federal Signal LED warning and scene-lighting package with FRC telescoping LED scene lights

Training & Operations

Riverhead firefighters training with BRAT 6-2-8

6-2-8 Training

BRAT 6-2-8 participating in department training

Brush Fire Operations Training

Photographs courtesy of the Riverhead Fire Department