By Karen Kane
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

CRANBERRY, Pa. — Cranberry Supervisors gave the go-ahead last week for officials to replace one of the most frequently used trucks in the fire company fleet.

The new rescue truck, which is used for motor vehicle accidents, rescues, and small fires, will be equipped with a few more helpful features than the truck it will replace, said Cranberry Fire Chief Bill Spiegel.

The specifications are to go out to bid within the next few weeks and will result from nine months of bi-weekly meetings of a special committee formed to determine what exactly would be needed on a new rescue vehicle.

Chief Spiegel said the existing truck was purchased in 1992 at a cost of $325,000 and has achieved the usual life expectancy of 15 years. A primary response truck, it has traveled 35,000 miles.

Among other improvements, he said, the replacement truck will have a cab with space for 10 people, a 50-gallon tank for foam, improved scene lighting capabilities, hoses accessible from all sides of the truck with winch connections on each side.

The price is expected to be about $525,000.

Fire Company President Chris DeCree said a down payment of $125,000 from the company's capital fund will be combined with a 10-year, low-interest loan. Annual payments will be made from the capital fund.

The truck will take between 240 and 280 days to build after a contract is awarded.

The fire company is primarily a volunteer force, with one paid administrator. The township supports the company with an annual allocation from its property tax revenues. The company's capital fund is expected to be at $200,000 at year end.

The fire department has 110 members, 20 in the women's auxiliary and 90 active members, 58 of whom are firefighters.

In 2006, the company responded to 577 alarms. As of September, the number of alarms was 483. 

Copyright 2007 P.G. Publishing Co.