# What is This Truck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 20, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336 "2015-08-20T12:34:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/1 "2015-08-20T12:34:57Z")
Parked outside a Rehobeth Beach DE firehouse is this US Government emergency truck with police style red & blue strobes and a radar or satellite style antenna dome. Markings include WV and 33 on the front bumper. [Photo 1](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...terytruck1.jpg) [Photo 2](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/49563419/mysterytruck2.jpg) The question was posted on a DC scanner list I follow. Any ideas? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/2 "2015-08-20T12:45:38Z")
Cat detector. They did away with all the bleedin’ aerials. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/3 "2015-08-20T13:50:06Z")
They couldn’t just buy a dog? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/4 "2015-08-20T14:23:52Z")
Check out this page: [Places To Sell Your Products](http://www.odysseysv.com/conversions/utility-hazmat-decon) Looks like a Ford Hazmat truck maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/5 "2015-08-20T14:40:12Z")
The first link is broken and a side view might be helpful. But as a completely wide stab, there is a town in West Virginia that’s in a [radio-free zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Radio_Quiet_Zone), because of a radio observatory. Perhaps the truck is used there for detecting rogue radio signals. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/6 "2015-08-20T14:43:57Z")
Here’s the fixed side-view [https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/49563419/mysterytruck1.jpg](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/49563419/mysterytruck1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/7 "2015-08-20T14:54:35Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Check out this page: [http://www.odysseysv.com/conversions/utility-hazmat-decon](http://www.odysseysv.com/conversions/utility-hazmat-decon) > > Looks like a Ford Hazmat truck maybe? It’s gotta be a hazmat vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/8 "2015-08-20T16:03:00Z")
It could be hazmat related but the only thing it has in common with the hazmat truck in the link is that they’re both blue. The hazmat truck is obviously built for a very specific reason and has a lot of unique modifications. The OP’s is simply a truck with a utility bed. There’s nothing particularly novel about that, there are fire and rescue trucks and even work trucks like that. What’s interesting is the white thing on top. Chemical detector? Radar? Communications antenna? ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/9 "2015-08-20T18:58:58Z")
Radiation detecting trucks are similar but have large rectangular panels. Maybe a new version? ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/10 "2015-08-21T02:43:03Z")
I was on my phone earlier and now that I’m at a computer and see a better pic, I noticed the roof is covered with antennas. Well, at least 7 anyway. The dome also looks like a satcom dome. I was hoping to pinpoint the brand but most domes don’t taper like that one does. I did find an unknown dome with a similar taper [here](https://www.gcsurplus.ca/mn-eng.cfm?snc=wfsav&sc=enc-bid&scn=195726&lcn=341312&lct=L&srchtype=&so=ASC&sf=ferm-clos&lci=&str=1<nf=1). Anyway, I’m guessing it’s a communications truck, a cousin to vehicles like [this](http://firepix1075.zenfolio.com/p545499710/h41906376#h41906376) and [this](http://dem.nv.gov/Resources/Satcom_Vehicle/). ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-truck/728336/11 "2015-08-21T04:51:51Z")
Ah, the scanner gurus did their digging and found it is a support truck for [31st Civil Support Team (WMD) of the Delaware Army National Guard.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Civil_Support_Team_(WMD)#WMD-CST_capabilities) From their Wiki: > [@](#): > > The CST provides assessments and a presumptive identification to analyze most chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) agents and substances. > > The 31st Civil Support Team, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) maintains the capability to mitigate the consequences of any WMD/NBC event, whether natural or man-made. They are experts in WMD effects and NBC defense operations. The CST supports local and state authorities at domestic WMD/NBC incident sites by identifying agents and substances, assessing current and projected consequences, advising on response measures, and assisting with requests for additional military support. > > The mission of the CST is to assess a suspected WMD attack, advise civilian responders on appropriate actions through on-site testing and expert consultation, and facilitate the arrival of additional state and federal military forces. > > As the CST is on standby 24/7, the advanced echelon will deploy within 90 minutes of notification and the rest of the team within three hours. This quick response gives the CST the ability to support the incident commander with critical information rapidly. The CST Commander can advise the incident commander as to the type and level of hazard present, possible courses of action, and additional National Guard assets that are available. [Here’s a PDF of Mass National Guard (note similarities).](https://www.aiha.org/localsections/html/neaiha/1st%20Civilian%20Support%20Team%20-%20October%202013-1.pdf) So it’s a likely choice. The West Va group is the 35th, DC 33rd, so the WV & 33 don’t necessarily match unless it’s Truck number 33 of the West Virginia detachment.