Over the years I've had the opportunity to visit many aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicle manufacturing facilities, both hear in the U.S. and in Europe. In most cases there they were modern assembly facilities, but in other cases they looked more attuned to a World War II assembly line factory.

A recent business trip to the San Francisco Bay area afforded me a visit to a rather unique ARFF vehicle manufacturing facility. While AFJ does not endorse any particular ARFF manufacturer's vehicles, I personally have a first hand knowledge of just about all ARFF trucks on the market worldwide today having spoken many to end-users, operating (hard) and driving them myself, and understanding the design and engineering aspects of them. I'm also a USAF Veteran of ARFF.

Over the many years that I have been involved in ARFF and airport fire protection, I have heard many "stories and myths" about the COLET ARFF vehicles. I learned a long time ago never to believe everything I hear, especially the third-hand rumors and conjecture. I heard stories that Ralph Colet was 'a Howard Hughes-like recluse who was not interested in meeting or speaking with anyone in the international ARFF community. I also heard that the crash vehicles (10 of which were delivered to Atlanta's Hartsfield Int'l Airport in the early to mid 1990's specially for the Olympics) were "nothing but problems." I've since learned that these falsehoods were nothing but a concocted 'spin' by a few competitor ARFF truck manufacturers.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to personally meet Mr. Ralph Colet, and I've have become a much more "informed" individual regarding the (sometimes unscrupulous) sales tactics of some ARFF vehicle manufacturers out there, and how they can negatively affect those of you who are deciding to purchase airport crash trucks. My personal and professional advise to anyone out there interested in a COLET - or any other ARFF truck - is to go out and visit ALL the factories your self, instead of just listening to what others say, or taking the "Pied Piper" approach. In fact, Ralph Colet and his son Raffie, who are both engineers, came out to speak at AFJ ARFF related venues regarding the "myths" of specifying and purchasing airport crash trucks, and specially how to specify what you want - especially regarding 'acceleration, stability, braking and safety features' that go far above and beyond the minimum standards specified in government bidding regulations.

The COLET Special Vehicle Design facility is located in Newark, California just a few miles south of Oakland. When I drove up to the building I noticed that the plant had a sign   on it that said "JRI." This plant was formerly owned and operated by John Russo Industrial, which was a well known and highly reputable manufacturer and fabricator of stainless steel and metal products supplying high quality precision products for the U.S. military, hospitals, and the Silicon Valley computer chip industry. Now owned by Ralph Colet, it is a family owned and operated business. Colet's company has been involved in manufacturing and producing a wide variety of precision instruments and other specialized vehicles for the U.S. military (many of which are classified) and also (until the late 1980's) municipal fire trucks that could be found throughout California.

Plant No. 7 in Newark is where he produces his new generation JAGUAR ARFF vehicles, and is one of several of his production facilities located across California. The Newark facility is one of two 180,000 square foot buildings on the site. The Atlanta ARFF vehicles were built at another Plant specially tooled, at that time, for their production.

When I arrived at Plant No. 7 I was screened, photographed, and had to sign a non-disclosure waiver form. This procedure was necessary to the classified nature of the high-tech processes that are taking place as part of government contracts. My first impression  when entering the plan overall cleanliness of the facilities - no dirty rags, grease marks on the floors or dust. I could compare it to a hospital operating room. Every employee was garbed in clean coveralls and wearing hospital masks for respiratory protection. As it happens, most of the people who are actually constructing all of the COLET ARFF trucks are engineers, and not mechanics or assembly line personnel. I spoke with several employees and they all stated that they very much enjoyed working at COLET SVD. In fact, the Colet's treat all of their employees very well, and in many ways like a member of the family. I sensed a 'calm' on the vehicle assembly area, and a great sense of pride in workmanship.

As I toured the facility I was privy to viewing, and driving, a new K30E 3000 gallon JAGUAR 6x6 ARFF vehicle that was soon to be delivered. To say that the vehicle was impressive in an understatement. COLET does not market (in fact, they do not have a sales department) or produce their ARFF trucks 'en-masse", however the vehicles which they do produce represent the highest engineering, quality and performance standards that surpass any found anywhere else in the industry today. The engineering of these trucks is unlike anything I have ever seen. As Ralph Colet says, "We are into extreme engineering." In fact, I saw one classified vehicle that could accelerate from 0-60 MPH in THREE seconds!

The COLET SVD product line consists of the most innovative and ground-breaking advances ever seen in airport crash truck design. The proven designs of the COLET 'JAGUAR' and the 2000 Series has kept COLET SVD light years ahead of the competition. Utilizing the latest manufacturing techniques, each vehicle is designed and manufactured in the United States of America with the highest engineering and quality possible.

From 1992 to 1996 COLET SVD developed and delivered the first generation 4000 gallon capacity K/R 15 4x4 and K/R40 10x10 JAGUARS to Atlanta International Airport. No doubt the COLET K/R 40 Jaguar is the most powerful crash truck in the world. Some key features of the K/R 40 are the PowerFlow Turret and Instatak firefighting systems. Together, they help make the K/R 40 into in an invaluable firefighting tool. The 1600 HO engine pushes the 4000 gallon water capacity K/R40 to 50 mph in less than 25 seconds, making it the fastest vehicle of this size in the world. The COLET Stainless Steel Monocoque Chassis makes it one of the fastest and highly visible cab environments for the operator.

It is based on a five-axle all wheel drive chassis that incorporates the water tank integrated into structure of the whole vehicle, balanced on a computer controlled cushion of air and hydraulic fluid so that driving conditions are constantly compensated for. This gives the vehicle the lowest center of gravity of any other ARFF vehicle, permitting high-speed maneuverability and turning capability that measurably reduces the possibility of roll over. The turning radius of the K30E 6x6 vehicle is shorter than any other vehicle of its size, 37.5 feet. Several on board computers monitor vehicle functions, adjust parameters, and control many functions on each vehicle. The advantages of these active controls greatly affect the safety and reliability of these JAGUARS, insuring that all on systems are at optimal levels.

The vehicles triangular shape's inherent strength dominates the COBRA helicopter like cockpit's integrated crash cage/crew module, which has been designed for frontal impact protection, and at the same time is capable of penetrating an airport perimeter fence. In the unlikely event of a rollover, this shape prevents (which results as corners of a square cab dig into the ground) thereby lessening the chances of serious injuries to the crew.

From personal experience - and echoing what other operators of COLET crash trucks have told me - I can tell you that the vehicle drives comfortably and smoothly, like a Mercedes - class sedan. It is amazing to believe that your driving a 3000 gallon crash truck when you get behind the wheel of a COLET K30E. The 1500 gallon capacity K15E JAGUAR's center of gravity is about 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.5 m) lower than any other vehicle, adding to its stability at speed. Ralph Colet described how, at trials conducted, his driver was advised that, when approaching a particular 90° bend, the fastest safe speed for conventional ARFF trucks was approximately 10-15 mph. (9.9 - 25 kph) The K15 JAGUAR took these same bends at between 40 and 50 mph (65 and 80 kph) adding to its stability at high speed.

In the construction of the vehicle, stainless steel is used throughout to battle the corrosive problems associated with fire fighting foams, salt and other corrosives. The ultimate strength of stainless steel makes for a long life that far outlasts 950 years) any other alternative constructions.

The second generation COLETPowerflow L/R (Lightweight/Retractable) Gator Boom Turret is an extremely accurate, powerful, versatile, effective, and user friendly systems. Each system is integrated into each of the COLET vehicle product line. The PowerFlor L/R Gator Boom Turret offers the greatest effective range available of over 250+ feet, weighs only 350 pounds, and is deployable and operable while the vehicle is moving. The PowerFlow L/R Gator Boom Turret can provide high and low angle attack capabilities as well as vehicle self protection with full discharge capability. The nozzle rotates a full 360 degrees, allowing pump and roll firefighting at all vehicle angles.

One of the amazing facts about the COLET JAGUAR ARFF vehicles is that it can accelerate in HALF the time of any other comparable capacity ARFF vehicle on the market. And to dispel an other myth about he "extreme price" of COLET vehicles, the new generation of JAGUARS are as comparable in price to any others out there.

Any myth is that there are only a 'handful' of COLET ARFF trucks in service. The fact is that the USAF, Egyptian Air Force, and many other middle eastern nations have COLET ARFF trucks in operation at various airfields, as well as several major U.S. airports presently - and more in the very near future.

I asked Ralph Colet why they don't market their ARFF trucks like other manufacturers? His reply was simply, "We don't need to market. We custom build our vehicles for airport fire chiefs who simply telephoned us and told us that they wanted an ARFF Truck with superior performance, speed and safety. We are also currently involved in many other vehicle engineering projects, and ARFF vehicles are only 10% of our overall business. Also, we always strive to serve our customers, and can be reached by telephone at anytime should there ever be any problems. We are also always busy designing new ARFF (and other) vehicle engineering and performance concepts."

Another thing that impressed me was that COLET was only building six ARFF vehicles at the time of my visit, he had nine engines and transmissions on hand. I asked Ralph Colet the reason for this and he replied that "We always have any replacement part available 100% of the time, including engines, which that can be shipped to customers (via airlift if necessary) 'just in case' of any problem or accidents occur with three vehicles." I know for a fact that many of you out there reading this article have complained incessantly about problems getting service or need parts for your ARFF trucks. At COLET SVD customer service is their Number One priority, and getting needed parts are not a problem. The fact is that most simple parts can be purchased over-the-counter at any local auto or truck parts department.
 

I'm happy that I visited COLET SVD to get some of "THE FACTS" and dispel any myths you may hear. Don't believe me? Visit his plant or call Ralph Colet yourself. He greatly respects firefighters, and is always available to talk to you.

For further information: www.coletsvd.com

Aviation Fire Journal, Volume 8, Issue 1 - January/February 2006