Sonora, CA…Tuolumne County Fire Department (TCFD) would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Bill Cosby, Navistar Corporation, and Peterson Caterpillar in San Leandro, California, for their support to TCFD and CAL FIRE Tuolumne Calaveras Unit (TCU). TCFD is happy to announce that we just recently received a new heavy-duty dealer diagnostic computer with the most up to date software available that was donated to TCFD to help diagnose and repair our fleet. Staff called Mr. Cosby inquiring about programs available to assist government agencies with diagnostic computers. Mr. Cosby advised that although there were no specific programs, as the Regional Navistar Corporation representative, he advised that they would come up with a plan to assist TCFD in our fleet maintenance efforts. Mr. Cosby then made several contacts and was able to secure the computer from Peterson Caterpillar in San Leandro, where they assisted us with getting the correct add-on software.

This computer system includes a new state of the art Panasonic Toughbook CF54 laptop computer and the following software: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Dealer level software; Navistar Engine Diagnostic software (NED) that allows us to read engine codes on the new and existing fleet of trucks, monitors engine operations, and programs new components installed on any Navistar engine; Navistar Calibration (NavKal) that allows us to keep the vehicle ECM up to date with the latest calibration from Navistar; Service Max allows us to hook up to early 2000s ECMs to monitor Navistar engine systems; Diamond Logic Builder that allows us to diagnose body control systems that include head lights, HVAC, pump controllers, instrument clusters and multiple other body systems; Bendix Brake, Wabco Toolbox, and Navistar TRW ABS that allows us to diagnose brake components; and numerous other software is included that will likely be used in the future.

We also added Allison Doc that allows us to diagnose all our Allison automatic transmissions; Cummins Insite allows us to diagnose the Cummins motors that are in our type1 fire trucks (E511,E761, E791, E901); and an Interface Adapter that allows us to connect the computer to the fleet vehicles.

This will be one of the most utilized tools we have in the fleet program and in the first week of use has been utilized ten times to diagnose equipment issues in TCFD and CAL FIRE fire engines. We have been trying to come up with a plan to purchase a system like this for some time but have been holding off purchasing because the cost of these types of systems are expensive and would have impacted our budget significantly. New, this computer and software would retail from $7000.00 to $10,000.00.

Just as a note, the day the computer showed up TCFD’s Heavy Equipment Mechanic was able to use it to Diagnose a check engine light on Engine 761 within 15 minutes and had parts ordered. Previously this would have taken several days to diagnose or down staff the engine and send it to the valley to get diagnosed which would have cost us more down time and money.

Again, the Tuolumne County Fire Department would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to Mr. Cosby, Navistar Corporation, and Peterson Caterpillar for donating this vital asset to the Department that will aid in our continued goals of reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and protecting the lives and property of the citizens and visitors of Tuolumne County.

TWITTER- @tuolumnecofire, @GrovelandCSD
INSTAGRAM- tuolumnecountyfire
FACEBOOK – Tuolumne County Fire Department and Groveland Community Services District
# # #