Feb, 2003
New Rescue
The firefighters are pretty (choose one) geeked, stoked, excited,
happy, enthusiastic, ebullient, right now. The department has just taken
delivery of a new heavy rescue unit. A heavy rescue does not have a pump
or carry water; it is more like a giant toolbox. It is a fire truck
that, in addition to carrying the equipment that we use at fire scenes,
carries the equipment necessary to do all of those jobs that have been
added to our mission. Jobs like prying apart a vehicle that has been
involved in an accident, or freeing some one who has been trapped
underground, or helping someone who is trapped in industrial machinery.
The fire department responded to alarms that included all of these
instances last year. Because it is necessary to have additional
equipment designed specifically to do these jobs the rescue vehicle
being replaced just could not hold all of the equipment that we need to
carry. That vehicle was purchased about fifteen years ago and included a
“Command Post” area, which is being used to store equipment and supplies
and can’t be used as it was intended.
A committee consisting of Lt. Jeff, EOs Craig Brown, Rich Rottman,
Rick Van Horn, and firefighter Jeff Hawkins designed the new rescue.
They put in much effort, and we’re proud of the job they have done. In
an effort to not repeat past mistakes the committee specified a truck
that would allow us room to grow. The new vehicle has a 22’ box, the
part of the truck where the equipment is stored, where the old truck had
a 14’ box. Additionally the new truck’s roof has four large storage
compartments as well as a 25kw hydraulic generator and a light tower
that will allow us to provide lighting at emergency scenes. The new unit
has a portable 8000 lb. winch that can be used off of four different
points on the vehicle. It has two preconnected hydraulic extrication
tools as well as preconnected rams and shears to allow us to extricate a
patient faster so as they might get to the emergency room that much
faster. The new Command center is 6” wider and utilizes part of the cab
to allow us to work easier.
Getting a new vehicle is not the only thing that we’re excited about.
The station on Plainfield Avenue is finally going to be replaced. I
emphasize finally because when I came here almost ten years ago, I was
told that a location was being sought for the relocation of Station #3.
The existing station was in poor condition, would not adequately
accommodate new apparatus, and the location made it challenging to enter
Plainfield Avenue. It seemed as though every time we had a potential
location something would cause us to continue the search. So, after over
ten years and hundreds of staff and Public Safety Committee hours of
searching and preparing plans we are actually going to build a new
station. The architect has completed the drawings, and they have gone
out for bids. If you haven’t heard the new station will be located where
the Wards Automotive Center is. We had hoped to be able to remodel the
existing building, however the architect proved to us that it was
actually less expensive to tear down most of the old building and build
new. We will be moving to the new building by the end of the year.
Fire Safety Specialist Steve McKellar has been promoted from Captain
to Assistant Chief. Steve has accepted many additional responsibilities
over the past two years. This promotion recognizes his dedication and
commitment to the department and its personnel. Congratulations Steve!
Ordinance Enforcement
In an effort to make the ordinance enforcement person who handles
trash and junk car complaints more accessible that position has new
office hours of Mondays and Fridays from 7-9 AM and 3-5 PM. If you want
to report a junk car or trash and junk in someone’s yard call 364-8466
and ask for extension 146. You will get a recorded message most of the
time but if you leave your name and phone number someone will return
your call.
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