Love these specialized departments. So cool how they find ways to adapt for their environment and mission!

I've run that route hundreds of times over the years as a trucker and people often ignore the closed lane indicators nearly causing accidents. I have spent more then a few nights up there in the lot and its so beautiful and quiet. Also see many trucks ignore the 34/45mph truck speed limit; depending on which side you come out, coming out of the tunnel and come out at 55+ only to smoke their brakes on the way down!

Thanks for posting this! I went through that tunnel just a few months ago. I know I am asking something that will probably never happen but it would be awesome if you could check out the fire crews for Warner Bros, Disneyland and/or Skywalker Ranch (I am sure they would get tons of views).

@expatchris

11 ай бұрын

I guess I’ve lived in South America too long and am used to natural selection in regards to stupidity 🙃

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for your suggestions, those places would be awesome to see!

@EricWhiteTheGamer

11 ай бұрын

All those would be great, unfortunately though Disney might be hard to do, I visited the land of magic and wanted to stop at one but thankfully did research and it is hard to get a tour, they used to but for "safety" they discontinued it.

@jed-henrywitkowski6470

11 ай бұрын

I do not remember a fire depart, however, I remember coming through here with my dad when I was younger. He was driving a tractor-trailer, flatbed specifically, and had to pull over so his load height could be checked.

Thank you CDOT! You are the unsung heroes of the highway. As a trucker based in Colorado who uses I-70 weekly all year i appreciate your hard work Winter storms are a nightmare and the heavy ski traffic plus unprepared truckers turn a two hour trip across into 4 or 6 hour struggle, and CDOT plus CSP out there many times on the ground in blizzard like conditions helping people and trying like heck to keep the highway open and people safe. Love the video, i always worry about vehicle fires in the tunnel, by the time they reach the top overheated engines sometimes just quit or catch fire.

@tbuff91

11 ай бұрын

Need a little more work out in eastern Colorado though.. The roads are awful.

@MudlangenTango

11 ай бұрын

@@tbuff91 I just drove in on 70 from Kansas, you know you hit Colorado from the broken concrete. The entire roadbed needs to be replaced

@sebrofc

11 ай бұрын

Agreed these guys are really unappreciated and keep the roads open and clear during inclimate weather allowing millions in commerce to flow, emergency response, continuity of business, unnecessary Starbuck trips in blizzard conditions and so much more. It's perplexing how low starting pay is for highway workers especially in a state where cost of living is so high yet these men and women show up day, night, weekend, holiday to keep roads going. Yet folks are quick complain about roadwork or being stuck behind a plow or so quick to point out a bad stretch of road as if line level employees have any say in decisions as to which roads get funds allocated.

@MudlangenTango

11 ай бұрын

@@sebrofc sometimes they post that they are hiring and the hourly wage is nowhere near enough. Then there are the seasonal jobs. They get the job done though.

Thank you Eric I miss you Kim Connor and Lauren keep up the good work eric your friend kyle

Colorado looks like they run under a similar operation like Port Authority of New York as well. They too have to face situations in the tunnels all the time

Nice work Eric. Thank you for covering such and unique firefighting operation.

The tunnel tow truck in use there is similar to those being used by the port authority of New York and New Jersey with its push or pull towing capability and firefighting capabilities.but the New York units are about one third shorter. Also on the larger engine the pump is not powered by a conventional PTO like what may be found on something like a dump truck. When the driver engages the pump there’s actually a transfer case under the pump that can either use the truck’s actual driveshaft to either turn the pump or turn the rest of the driveshaft to the truck’s rear axle for movement of the vehicle. The switch on the truck’s dashboard makes this selection.

The open cab reminds me of the famous and the most beloved "E51"

Am I the only one having a conniption every time he calls an SCBA bottle an "Oxygen tank"

@The5thChapter

11 ай бұрын

No you’re not. I’m not trying to bash these guys at all. But are they just CDOT that have been given access to fire apparatus and no training? Or are they actually fire / emt certified? I’m thrown by their terminology, behavior, and lack of uniform standards. And have the extra gear so that they can grab a random CDOT employee to help fight fire just spells liability…

@BRVFD01

11 ай бұрын

Not to mention the guy with the full beard, not getting a good seal with that!

@k9officerft434

11 ай бұрын

⁠@@BRVFD01at idea was sort of disapproved by the military, the seal is very mildly effected but nothing major

@user-mo1tw7um1f

Ай бұрын

True

Eric, thanks for this cool new channel. I love see all the different departments and unique apperatus. If you ever make it to Michigan let us know.

I drive a flatbed tow truck all over the I-70 mountain corridor. I pick up break downs near the tunnel all the time. The customers almost always say at least I didn't break down in the tunnel. Then I get to tell them all about how amazing the emergency response is.

Super interesting view of what most people would never think about.

I never knew just what all went into this tunnel and I have lived here most of my 70 years. The State of Colorado really has hit the nail on the head with this emergency response equipment and procedures they have developed. So many safety measures in these tunnels. I am truly impressed with what these employees have to do to keep people safe.

2004 epic road trip, westbound. Saw traffic ahead with brake lights, I carefully switched lanes. Ford Taurus or something stopped in the right lane, old guy was out & raising the hood. Could've been very, very bad, and I hope it didn't go bad after we passed. Props to these staff!

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing, Eric!

This was so cool! Thanks for showing it Eric!

I remember going through the Eisenhower tunnel back in about 1986. At the scenic point for Loveland Pass I had to change the film in my Nikonos 35 mm underwater camera that I had used on a whitewater rafting trip. Later at sea level had quite a time getting the camera open due to the greater ambient air pressure.

I feel that CDOT has definitely learned a lot of lessons from the Mount Blanc tragedy. This little fleet and the men/women who work up there are ready for anything.

@EnjoyFirefighting

11 ай бұрын

surprised that such a rather short tunnel with low traffic volume needs a FD. But I don't know how far away the next fire station in a village or town is

@weatherupstairs4814

11 ай бұрын

I was surprised they didn't mention the Mount Blanc fire and their protocol.

@noahjones8213

11 ай бұрын

@@EnjoyFirefightingnearest towns are 10-15 miles in either direction I’d say

@JaidenJimenez86

11 ай бұрын

@@EnjoyFirefighting I think of it this way - there's 35,000 vehicles a day in that tunnel. Would you have a fire dept for a town of 35,000 people?

@EnjoyFirefighting

11 ай бұрын

@@noahjones8213 thank you, Eric Hurst let me know already. Under that circumstance I can see them having their own department.

Great job. It is cool how he kept it basic. Each of those guys from portal attendant on are trained to save lives and property. I loved the roof turitt. Kind of a baby airport rig

Awesome as always. Thank you for such a specialized group/role

Great Job Eric and Great Video. John

Very cool! NYC/NJ tunnels and bridges have trucks like that that can tow and fight fire

This was truly an awesome video Eric. Im so glad someone was able to feature these rigs. I feel like these are some of the rarest rigs to be photographed in the state. Cant wait to see the Hanging Lake Tunnel rigs next. Keep this up!

Great vid Eric!!!

Been through the Eisenhower several time in a tractor trailer. Awesome video.

so cool, thank you for sharing this video!.

Nice video Eric, and a great shoutout to all Colorado DOT personnel!!

So interesting! Love this video. Your channel is absolutely outstanding, keep it up!

Not oxygen tanks. those are air tanks SCBA.

That was an incredible video. Please keep them coming

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! Will do!

Wow that is so great (good job, sir)for this video.

These videos of unique and different trucks you have been posting are super awesome and interesting. Keep em coming!

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

The photo request was funny. A PIO would say that 😂😂😂. Thats a cool fleet though

Eric, let them know the Nitrogen Cylinder for there Dry Chemical suppression system on the Tow/Fire apparatus is empty.

I thought this was an old video because it seems like we just got one, thanks for another great video!!

Great video Eric!

Great stuff Eric! Nice job of showing a part of emergency services that most people do not know exist. While fascinating to us in emergency services, a truly important operation for those traveling through those tunnels. Again, great job! Can't wait to see the story on Hanging Lake Tunnels!

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Very cool video Eric! Thanks to everyone who works as a First Responder there keeping us all safe! Bicyclist...what was that guy thinking? LOL Guess he was feeling the altitude after that 2 mile run through the tunnel.

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I can’t imagine riding a bike up I-70 from Silverthorne and then wanting to breathe in all that vehicle exhaust for 2 miles. Hard no for me!

@peter_smyth

10 ай бұрын

The tunnel saves a much harder ride on the detour route, but I'd still prefer the more scenic and less polluted detour.

I stopped there around the late 80’s early 90’s. The department I was on used Pierce. When I stopped the worker/s were just great to me. Spent time explaining everything to me. I was totally impressed. I was thinking the Pierce was around 86-88 or maybe 92. Just don’t remember the exact year. And I thought they said back then they could clear the tunnel in a couple of minutes from a car fire.

Very cool. Thanks for filming.

I never knew any of this. Thank you for sharing

Great video thanks

Loved the CDOT fire trucks!! Awesome video!!

Very interesting video sir, I agree these specialty departments make for great content

Great video Eric! I had no idea CDOT has this sort of capability!

LOLz. Don’t let them man near a pump panel.

Thanks that was great.

Another great video! I am loving the content you are providing for us! 🎉

Eric, Great video! I was through the tunnel in 1991. Didn't have time to stop and see the equipment. For a tunnel, the special tow/fire trucks are truly the best. Most that I have seen were Mack's. But GMC, I guess, does the job! The Colorado DOT orange color set them apart from a regular red fire truck! Will be watching for the next Colo. DOT video. Thanks so much for work👍👍👍!

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! It was definitely an educational and enjoyable experience for me!

Awesome thank you

This is great! I love seeing how the specialized infrastructure in the nation has adapted specialized response for it. As a motorist, this makes me feel a lot safer when traveling, knowing that these fine people are on the job keeping watch.

Great video and information I never knew about and I've driven through the tunnel

Very cool vid thanks Eric

This was cool Eric. I loved that little town up past the tunnel, all I remember is it had a giant water wheel.

Awesome video

Cool operation!

This was awesome

Colorado is Nice thx the Great Video

This is impressive, very impressive 👍

Am a retired Corpsman with US Navy and at fire Academy. I find this so cool

@WorkingFirePIO

8 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

It's scary that this guy is considered a "firefighter", he seems like a tow truck driver that they blessed into a firefighting role

My ex was a heavy equipment operator that worked on that tunnel. Cool to see it.

They need a drive through bay so don't have to back up, it's only 1.6 miles long...lol. Good video. You need do some more ride alongs in Wichita!

Nice!

I love your vehicle.

Ive had to take the up and over route once when I had a hazmat load. Deffently a thrill with 75 feet of truck

cool video!!

They just had a vehicle fire in the tunnel the other day, I was heading east bound when the reader board at silverthorne said the tunnel was closed due to a vehicle fire. I was able to take US 6 Loveland pass before getting stuck on the highway. Hope everyone got out ok.

Very nice but him calling SCBA Cylinders oxygen was sooooo irritating 😂

Peace be upon my fellow Coloradowan

Liked and shared your video mate 🧑🏻👍🏻🚒

10:49 Might want to let them know that their Ansul tank is empty and won't work

Spectacular video and content. Just found your Your Tube channel...simply awesome. Stay Safe, Bee Free...Shalom

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

I was living in Denver while this tunnel was under construction.and when it first opened. During construction a huge drill used to make the tunnel broke down. They could not fix the drill nor could they remove it so buried it behind a wall inside the tunnel.

Why didn't someone stop the bicyclist and take their bike out of the tunnel? His actions caused more headache and safety concerns than should be allowed. You guys are the silent heroes of the tunnel. Keep up the good work!

Great video Eric! Seems like they could stand to have their engine upgraded, maybe time for an Oshkosh Striker 4x4. Seems like an ARFF unit and a small rescue truck would be better suited for this role.

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! I'm told they have 2 new fire engines in production right now, one for Eisenhower-Johnson and the other for Hanging Lake. They'll be on commercial International Chassis though, not quite as cool as an ARFF unit would be!

@22LR.addict

11 ай бұрын

@WorkingFirePIO Hopefully we can see a follow up when those get pushed in!

Hello Eric. This is Daniel from Canada that watches the South Metro's KZread Channel. I didn't know that you had your own KZread Channel. I had no idea that there was such a tunnel that existed! Some sweet trucks up there! Anyway, I thought I'd drop a comment on your episode here, because I came across it. Have a great evening! Daniel 😉

SWEET!

As a son of a trucker who also drove for Uncle Sam, something that stout little Jimmy could use is rear and front "glad hands" for air. Let's say there's a bobtail that lost air pressure for whatever reason, say the air compressor took a dump halfway through the tunnel, the tractor can be supplied by that Jimmy, and safely moved out of the tunnel where a mobile mechanic can be met.

this should be in every classroom of every truck company out there

Amazing it looks like MMBT in Virginia only thru a mountain and not under the Atlantic Ocean

And this why drivers hate bicyclists.

@EnjoyFirefighting

11 ай бұрын

I guess there are less bicyclists driving down the Interstate than cars parking on bike lanes ;)

Eric, you should come to Vail Fire. Just got a new engine. It's a pierce 4 wheel drive and looks awesome

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

I've seen photos and it looks very tough!

New follower here great video

If you want to visit a nice FireDept. u need to see the FireStation from the Gotthardtunnel in Switzerland. Their Fire Engines can spin on point 360 Degrees so if they need to gut out quickly.

Eric, great tour of the tunnel. It was nice that the tunnel management took the time to show us their equipment , by the way doe you know what year the pumper is. Thanks very interesting.

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! That is a 1989 Pierce Dash pumper, which will be retired in the next year.

Yeah. Check to make sure the bicyclist is safe. Then haul his ass to jail.

Colorado hazmat driver here. CDOT recieved $25 million to install sprinklers in the tunnel. Hazmat still has to go over Loveland pass. It’s ironic, narrow winding road with long drop off. And it’s the hazmat route. Fire Shoshana Lew !!

Pretty cool and appreciate the time you folks put into this, however, point of clarification - not "oxygen tanks", should have said either breathable air or SCBA's

The compartments are really messy and need to be redone they just throw everything in there and it looks really junky bunker gear is just thrown into compartment house bed is all jacked up these people just seem really lazy and apparently don’t have any pride

My respects

When I saw how old the trucks they use were, I couldn't believe it. We were on our way to Las Vegas.

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

CDOT tells me they have 2 new fire engines in production now. The 1989 Pierce will be donated to a transportation museum in Denver.

@richardherndon451

11 ай бұрын

@WorkingFirePIO sweet. Can't wait to see them. Those older engines with no back doors are cool but not very safe for the first responders inside. Especially with how people drive around emergency vehicles now.

Motorists would not be so impatient if they were shown the devastation at the Mont Blanc tunnel. Great to see CDOT doesn't mess around.

Hopefully we can see you and Nick do a collaboration with Miami fire or PD!

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

That would be a lot of fun!

I ride a bicycle and would NEVER EVER ride on an interstate tunnel. I've been through that tunnel and it can be spooky with trucks

I don't think I've ever seen so many hose clamps on so many apparatus for one department

@bosch3540

11 ай бұрын

Sign of a "set it and forget it" operation.

@WorkingFirePIO

11 ай бұрын

I'm guessing it's due to the limited staffing levels when only one person might be responsible for hose deployment.

You should check out creede Fire department in Colorado. They have the only underground cave fire station in the world

I am guessing he doesn't wear an SCBA mask with that beard.

I would like to see a similar video about tunnels in th UK maybe Dartford it's used by a lot of fuel tankers