A customized regional command center and a regional explosives unit, both built by LDV Inc., have been delivered to the Colorado Springs (Colorado) Police Department. Purchased through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, the vehicles will be used for SWAT call outs, hostage negotiations and will serve as a command control center for major incidents, natural disasters and special events. The mobile command unit is powered by a Freightliner MT-55 forward control chassis with a 30,000 GVWR and a 260-horsepower turbo diesel engine and 2500 EVS heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmissmion. Special features on this vehicle include a 72-inch high by 100-inch long by 30-inch deep weather-tight slide out area, a full galley and lavatory, and a 42-foot heavy-duty pneumatic mast. The communications system includes eight landline phones, one mobile satellite phone and six cellular phones with multiple interior and exterior extensions. The bomb unit has a Freightline extended cab chassis with a 33,000 GVWR, a 300-horsepower turbo diesel engine and a 3000 EVS automatic transmission. A 25-foot telescoping mast is equipped with a color camera system containing combination pan, tilt and zoom features plus a halogen light bar directly above. A 9-foot collapsible aluminum ramp is included to manuever the remote control robot. Both vehicles are designed for truck-to-truck interoperability to allow law enforcement to work together at a scene.
