In this case, absolutely. We’ve been watching police agencies (particularly in New Jersey) increasingly snap up the Dodge Durango for patrol duty, usually with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, replacing the Chevrolet Tahoes and Ford Expeditions that were normally assigned for K-9 and search-and-rescue purposes. This, however, marks the first time we’ve seen one adopted by the fire service.
The Mifflin Township Division of Fire in Gahanna, Ohio, just east of Columbus, has placed this 2005 Hemi-powered Durango in service as a command unit. It’s fitted with Code 3 warning strobes and dual front-mounted siren speakers, a warning package designed and fitted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Onboard communications include VHF, UHF and 800 mHz trunked digital radios. How about those robust front push bars? Can you say “forcible entry?”
The Durango responds on calls as Battalion 131. For more information on this rig, check out www.firehouse.com, the Web site of Firehouse magazine.
(This post originally appeared in the July 6, 2006, issue of the Hemmings eWeekly Newsletter.)