The Grand Rapids Fire Department responded to a total of 23,240 incidents last year -- 3,900 of which were incidents on streets, roadways and highways. The department averaged 10 incidents per day with personnel spending nearly 3,500 hours working at these sites. Based upon current data, incident responses on streets, roadways and highways are estimated to increase to over 4,100 this year. The new equipment is expected to be used several times a day.

The Tacoma Asbestos Company began the asbestos abatement process about two weeks ago. The CFD evacuated its building on Aug. 1 after the once ubiquitous carcinogenic material was found during the process of removing floor tiles.

 

Chehalis fire engines once sequestered at the station have been put back into service, as have a couple of support vehicles. Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale expects all units to be back on the road by the end of the week. Fire District 6 had given the Chehalis crew access to a reserve engine during the past few weeks.

Chehalis fire personnel are also using their own personal protective gear again now that it’s been cleaned according to standards set by the state Department of Labor and Industries. Backup sets of gear and uniforms are in the process of being cleaned. Riverside Fire Authority loaned extra PPG and equipment to Chehalis in early August.

The new brush truck was put into service officially on July 30 – and was utilized that same day on a grass and brush fire along Henry Road – getting used on its first day. Since then, said Mello, it has been quieter, with the rig taken out recently for display during the Aug. 7 National Night Out. There, local youngsters and residents had the chance to see the new truck up close but, thankfully, said Mello, it hasn’t been called in to service for any major fires in the last few weeks.

“We were awarded a total of $175,000 through the FEMA grant,” Mello said.

The department had to provide some matching funds, at a small percentage level, with $8,377 the department’s share of the purchase.

To the modern eye, the 1924 Ford TT Fire Engine may not look like much — a 15-foot toy version of the behemoths that fire departments use in the 21st century. 

 

The vehicle has a functioning crank-siren and two 75-gallon tanks that are designed to be filled with soda-acid. A firefighter would drop a glass ball inside the tanks, creating a chemical reaction that resulted in a fizzy fire-fighting substance.  

The truck seats just two, with room for a third firefighter to stand on the back bumper, which Straface took care to mention is no longer protocol for modern fire departments, Harrison included.  

The truck has been fully restored and is worth around $25,000.