Michigan State Police Receive New Bomb Truck And Trailer From General Motors
 |
State Police Receive New Bomb Truck And Trailer From General Motors
State-of-Art Vehicle Allows Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction
Pontiac, Michigan - Responding to bomb threats in southeast Michigan will now be quicker, easier, and safer thanks to the technical expertise and support of General Motors Corporation. During a special ceremony held this afternoon, employees at GM's Pre-Production Operations turned over the keys for a new state-of-the-art bomb truck and containment vessel to Colonel Stephen Madden, director of the Michigan State Police. This state-of-the-art truck was commissioned by the Michigan State Police and jointly developed with GM to match the needs of its newly integrated Bomb Squad Unit.
The newly formed unit, new state-of-the-art robot and specialized equipment together with the new vehicle and trailer are part of a Michigan State Police initiative to further strengthen our homeland security after the terrorist attack on 9/11. They will be housed at the Sterling Heights Forensic Science Laboratory. It will be used to respond to all non-military explosive devices found between Eight Mile Road north to I-69 and from I-75 east to Lake St. Clair in southeast Michigan.
The vehicle is a newly introduced 2003 GMC TopKick medium duty truck powered by a Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engine and a 5-speed Allison automatic transmission. It is a 19,500 lb. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating truck with 27 feet in length and over 9 feet in height. It took approximately 5,000 man-hours to build.
The body was developed with state-of-the-art equipment to effectively support the MSP Bomb Response Team's monitoring, investigative, and threat resolution activities of conventional, biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction.
The vehicle also features equipment by Braun Lift Company, Clarion Electronics, R.O.M. Doors, and Unicell. The new truck was displayed in GM's national launch campaign for the GMC TopKick/ Chevrolet Kodiak medium duty trucks called the 5-City Tour. It traveled with the tour to Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and English Town, New Jersey.
"General Motors, the UAW, and the Michigan State Police have historically been strong allies when it comes to providing for the public's safety and emergency response," said Colonel Stephen D. Madden, Director, Michigan State Police. "Last year we partnered with GM and unveiled the new Michigan State Police Crime Scene Response Vehicle and team members. Today, we are unveiling and announcing a new vehicle and response team ready to respond to conventional, biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Once again GM has stepped forward to respond to a homeland security concern."
"The Bomb Squad Response Vehicle was developed in a spirit of zeal and patriotism," said Steve Matsil, Vehicle Chief Engineer for GM's medium duty trucks who supported the development of the vehicle. "GM/UAW employees of different trades contributed the best of their expertise and talent, working long hours, often working during their breaks. They didn't require any encouragement from management."
"The General Motors Project is an excellent example of private industry working with law enforcement to ensure the public's safety," states Detective Lieutenant Jerald Alexander, acting commander for the Sterling Heights Laboratory. "Because of their concern and a desire to make a difference in the community, we now have a truck and trailer that is second to none and will give us the tools we need to deliver our services in the most effective and efficient manner."
