VERNON -- Few sounds can unnerve a man -- and stop him mid-sentence.It's the sound of a fire-pager siren that does it for Mike Owens, Vernon's fire chief."Unfortunately, no, you don't always," -- the siren went off.
The engine was down last week when a car fire broke out, locally, Owens recollected. Luckily, neighboring fire stations were available to respond with the appropriate equipment, as Vernon typically also responds when other cities have engine problems.
Until the engine is repaired, the fire department is relying on its tanker, which holds 2,200 gallons of water to supply to the city’s single engine, and brush-fire truck. Neither are equipped to handle structure and vehicle fires.