Amatoya, Bring The Rain

The AMATOYA concept will introduce a new class of vehicle to the field of fire appliance design; capable of reconnaissance and suppression, the proposal may gradually shift the way authorities approach modern fire fighting. Research indicates a need to develop an advanced and highly specialised light tanker. It must function primarily as a reconnaissance vehicle while providing unparalleled vehicle and crew safety/survivability, maintain superior off road capabilities and possess appropriate fire suppression technology for the purpose of initial response and front line defence.

Typically medium and heavy tankers require 5-6 crew members to be operated effectively. AMATOYA requires only 2. More military in its approach, reducing crew numbers per appliance will allow for greater dispersion of resources during a fire response.

Principal concerns when developing a vehicle of any nature are driver position, ingress/egress and vision angles. These elements become even more crucial in a vehicle purpose built for reconnaissance. A central, forward and high driver and ROSCO operator position akin to the Apache assault helicopter with generous down vision will assure functionality.

Access is via two gull wing doors, an optimal solution to accommodate the unconventional bodyside form. The distinct lack of a traditional b-pillar will provide uninterrupted views for the ROSCO operator situated above and behind the driver.

The vehicle adopts many conventional fabrication techniques associated with low production run specialised vehicles. The point of difference which separates this concept from existing appliances is the proposed monocoque steel body, comparable to military MRAP vehicles. A conventional fire tanker is built body-on-frame from a standard cab chassis truck base. While this approach is successful, the lack of integration results in certain performance issues. Body roll due to the on board water supply is an notable problem, however by creating a fully integrated solution, water reservoirs can be strategically located central and low in the vehicle to dramatically improve the centre of gravity.

With an emphasis on crew and vehicle survivability combined with a radically altered approach to fire suppression, the AMATOYA Fire Reconnaissance Vehicle is dramatically separated from any existing appliance in operation.

The use of contemporary technology, materials, finish and form, encourages desirable attributes of safety, mobility, efficiency and performance. In an extreme fire event any measure of advantage is welcomed in a very real situation where seconds count. The AMATOYA concept provides the monumental ability to sustain reconnaissance work without impairing mobility or compromising the safety of operating crew developing a revolutionary dimension to fire suppression which has yet been explored.

While idealistic in its execution, the project endeavours to question the adequacy of existing appliances and suppression strategies. The goal is not to dismantle a system which has been utilised for over 70 years, but rather to modernise and homogenise, to ask the question and demonstrate just what may be possible in the future.