Earlier this week Assistant Chief Steve Koering and Lieutenant Ward Parker took a trip to Ocala Florida to check up on the details of three new fire engines for our department. These new trucks represent the latest in technology as it relates to fire engines.
The new trucks will not only serve us well for the next twenty years putting out fires, but also will be able to provide the tools necessary to extricate victims trapped in car accident situations. Additionally a significant improvement in scene lighting is on-board and provides an incredible amount of light, making the work areas safer during our frequent nighttime operations.
An energy management system that is on-board keeps all the systems working in concert and allocates power and resources to the features of the truck being most heavily used at any one time. The trucks also carry 1000 gallons of water and a foam injection process making rapid and meaningful fire attack possible with the first truck on the scene.
We are anticipating a delivery date of the second or third week of July, then they need to get striped and a vigorous training period for all apparatus operators will take place. If all goes according to plan we should be bringing the trucks into service on August 16th.
Like our last new truck, we are planning on a ribbon cutting ceremony and a blessing of the new trucks by one of our Police/Fire Chaplains. All will be welcomed to this event which will take place shortly before that evening’s City Council meeting.
