By Kimberly Houghton
The Union Leader
MERRIMACK, N.H. — The new fire engine has arrived, and crews have been training on the equipment for about a month.
On Friday, the truck was finally in service, and fire officials say it is a welcome change for the department.
“I think this is a very nice engine,” said Chief Michael Currier. “The price is right and it meets the needs of the community.”
In May, Currier asked that money from the town’s capital reserve fund be used to purchase a new fire engine. The town council unanimously granted his request.
The 2009 Sutphen fire truck cost nearly $400,000 and is replacing the main fire engine, which has been out of service for more than two months.
It was a demonstrator model for the vendor.
“The new truck is slightly used with about 30,000 miles on it,” Currier said last week.
A similar fire truck, if purchased new, would have cost the department an additional $100,000, Currier said.
He anticipates that the vehicle will be used by the department for about 20 years.
According to Anthony Stowers, assistant fire chief, the department is far behind on replacing vehicles in a timely manner.
Currier agreed, saying it is not always possible to replace the main fire truck every eight or 10 years as recommended. The funds simply aren’t available. But, he said the department does the best it can with the fleet it has.
“The firefighters seem to like it,” Stowers said of the new truck. About 28 full-time firefighters have been training on the vehicle for the past few weeks, and more volunteer firefighters will also learn how to manage the equipment, he said.
The truck is slightly different from the previous engine because it has automatic ladders, a shorter wheelbase for narrow roads and an updated generator.
The old engine one was deemed unsafe in May and was placed permanently out of service. The truck had been deteriorating for several years, and most recently was picking up speed on its own and not pumping water continuously.
Fire officials cited several electrical and mechanical problems with the 20-year-old engine, saying it was a safety issue to continue using the truck.
The new vehicle is top notch, according to Currier, who said it will be the first engine out of the garage for a fire. It was fully refurbished prior to purchase, including installation of new tires and brakes.
Copyright 2010 Union Leader Corp.
All Rights Reserved