By Alan M. Petrillo
The Sugar Creek (IN) Fire Department had a need for a new pumper to replace an aging engine, so it developed a set of specs that reflected what it would require of the rig, and then turned to Alexis Fire Equipment Company to build the pumper.
Sugar Creek (IN) Fire Department’s new Alexis top-mount pumper operates at the scene of a nighttime house fire. (Photos courtesy of Sugar Creek Fire Department.)“We are past customers of Alexis,” says J.C. Gummere, Sugar Creek’s maintenance chief. “In 2018 we needed to get a tanker in a short time frame and purchased a demo tanker that Alexis had shown at FDIC International. We like their quality and user-friendly designs, so we also had them do a refurbishment of our heavy rescue before we went to them for the new pumper.”
Jason Cree, the salesman at Alexis who sold the pumper to Sugar Creek, says it’s built on a Spartan Metro Star MFD chassis and cab with a 10-inch raised roof, and seating for four firefighters, three in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) seats. The cab also holds a custom EMS (emergency medical services) compartment with two adjustable shelves and an electrical power strip.
Because Sugar Creek’s new Alexis pumper runs on automatic mutual aid in its county, the department has it outfitted as a rescue-pumper, including carrying HURST Jaws of Life eDraulic battery-powered rescue tools in a rear compartment, and rope rescue, water rescue, and ice rescue equipment elsewhere.Cree notes the pumper is powered by a 450-horsepower (hp) Cummins L9 diesel engine, an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission, and a Telma electro-magnetic brake retarder. Wheelbase on the rig is 211 inches, overall length is 33 feet 11 inches, overall height is 10 feet 5 inches, and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 47,000 pounds.
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