According to South Hutchinson Police Chief Mark Thompson, Engine 80 was responding to a fire alarm at 600 W. Blanchard with lights and siren about 8:50 a.m.  

The truck stopped at the stoplight at Blanchard and Main before proceeding across the intersection against the light.

A Hutchinson motorist, Juan Flores, 33, who was northbound on Main Street, told officers he saw the truck and attempted to stop, but his Chevy Tahoe slid into the driver’s side door of the firetruck because of the wet pavement.

FEMA announced on Friday it awarded the fire department $19,182 for the purchase of five hazmat censors. They’ll be located in various vehicles across the city and allow the department to monitor hazardous environments.  

The department has three but this grant will allow for the purchase of five upgraded devices.

“We’ll be able to have a duplicate meter on scene to ensure that the readings we get are accurate,” Gomes said. “When you’re able to have two meters side by side, you ensure you get accurate readings. When you only have a single meter, there’s always the possibility of having a failure.”

The meters will measure oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and flammable liquids. Some will also offer detection of hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. On top of that, the devices will have a photo ionization detector that is able to see volatile organic compounds, which often have boiling points at room temperature and can evaporate into the air.