APPARATUS UPDATE
We have begun the process of purchasing new apparatus with the debt service fund. All vehicles (except the response vehicles) will be built by Toyne Inc. in Iowa. The chassis for the Quad is being built by Spartan Chassis . Once the chassis is built it will be inspected by Spartan Engineers and by the departments Truck Committee to make sure it was built to the specs submitted. It will then move to the Toyne plant in Iowa where the body that contains the pump and compartments will be built and installed. The chassis for the Pumper-Tanker is being built by Navistar. Once the chassis is built it will be inspected by Navistar Engineers and by the Departments Truck Committee to make sure it was built to the specs submitted. It will then move to the Toyne plant in Iowa where the body that contains the pump and compartments will be built and installed. Once the bodies are built at Toyne they will also be inspected by the Departments Truck Committee to make sure it was built to the specs that were submitted. The estimated delivery date for the apparatus is April 2012.
March:
The “Quad” engine and tanker are nearing the final stages of the build and our truck committee will be doing final inspections very soon. After the trucks are complete, they will make their way to Indianapolis, In April 16th -21st for one of the largest firefighting trade shows in the world, FDIC. This convention draws firefighters, fire instructors from across the globe and includes a vendor show that will FILL the Lucas Oil stadium. This will give us a unique opportunity to be recognized by other departments around the world and show how we are progressing as a fire department.
February:
The new pumper is coming along and on schedule. The pump and frame are nearly complete and being assembled and painted.
The chassis for the tanker is in and the body is nearly complete.
October 3rd: The new pumper-tanker drawings have been updated and you can view and download the PDF here Pumper/Tanker Schematics A, Pumper/Tanker Schematics B
September 14th: Engine 11’s tools and equipment have mounted and placed. The new brackets have been made for the 35’ extension ladder and put in place. It is now in service. Small modifications are still being made and an EMS cabinet will be place in the cab by the end of the week.
Other equipment that has been in service is our new, more powerful, extrication equipment made by Genesis. We have used Genesis extrication equipment for many years and have had great success with these tools in many applications not just vehicle wrecks. With the new pumps that were purchased, it will allow us to cut the exotic and harder metals that newer vehicles are being made from. They also operate MUCH faster than the older units.
Rescue 1 has a electrically powered pump that is run by the generator on the truck and a gas powered pump for multiple vehicle and remote incidents.
It also carries a larger cutting tool.
Engine 13, which is located at Station 2, has the gas powered pump.
Engine 11 and 13 carry a “Combo” tool for extrication that can spread and cut, combined into one tool.
Squad 1 now carries a hand operated combo extrication tool as well.
August 23rd: The 35 foot extension ladder for Engine 11 was delivered and inspected. The ladder does not fit on the truck as of yet but modifications will be made so that it will. For now it will carry a 24 foot extension ladder and a 16 foot straight ladder or “roof ladder”. Box lights or flashlights, were mounted and installed as well.
August 15th: Engine 11 under goes its “wheel off” inspection. This is a intense inspection of the apparatus to determine if anything is in need of immediate or future repair. This takes a day or two unless repairs are needed.
Week of August 8th: Engine 11 goes on line and firefighters continue operator training. The essential equipment that is used in firefighting is place on new tool boards and organized.
August 4th: Deputy Chief Don Allen and Firefighter Andrea Belden inspect the electrical systems to plan the installation of the radio and other electronic systems.
August 3rd: The old lettering and decals are removed and the truck gets a thorough cleaning inside and out. Planing begins on placement of equipment and radios.
Chief Klein Sprays out the compartment after Firefighters John Miller and William Bockting finished scrubbing it down.
The cab of the truck is raised to clean the engine.
August 2nd: Lafayette Twp. Fire Protection District took delivery of 2003 Pierce Contender Pumper/Engine. This is all part of a long term plan that identifies our needs for the community fire protection plan in regards to ISO.
Since the recent sale of one of our front line engines, that we were pouring money into for repairs and maintenance, we decided to use the funds from this sale to upgrade one of the engines to this apparatus. The fire department is familiar with this truck as it belonged to a neighboring fire department and recently came available for purchase. This was due to their recent purchase of a new apparatus. It will continue to service our area as it had in the past when called upon, for mutual aid and will be a great addition to our fleet replacing a non-reliable front line engine. This truck will go into service within the next couple of weeks, once all the necessary equipment is mounted onto the truck and a very detailed inspection process is completed.
This truck carries 1000 gallons of water (as do all of our engines) and has a pump capacity of 1250 gallons per minute. The custom chassis or “cab over” chassis offers greater protection, to the five firefighters it holds, in the event of a rollover accident, as the cab is built similar to a roll cage design. It also has anti-lock brakes for safer stopping. It is durable and custom designed for the fire service to be able to handle the everyday use as well as perform in times of emergencies.
