The fire department’s facilities and fleet of vehicles are at an advanced age and not serving the district as well they should, creating limitations that will need to be addressed in the weeks and months ahead. Vashon Island Fire &Rescue Chief Charlie Krimmert delivered that message in a presentation last week as part of a series of presentations about the state of the fire district.
- PUB DATE: 5/16/2017 1:07:54 PM - SOURCE: Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

After a 36-year career in the fire service, Bothell Fire Chief Bob Van Horne has retired. His last day on the job was Monday, and he spoke with the Reporter a few days before then. “I have loved the fire service,” he said. “I am the chief servant of the department, and I make sure that the responders have the resources they need … to have a successful outcome.
- PUB DATE: 5/16/2017 1:05:19 PM - SOURCE: Bothell Reporter

Pierce Manufacturing announced that two Pierce® Velocity pumpers and a Pierce 100-foot aerial platform apparatus are now in service with the Redmond (WA)Fire Department.

APPLETON, WI—Pierce Manufacturing Inc. has placed two Pierce® Velocity® pumpers and a Pierce 100-foot aerial platform into service with the Redmond (WA)Fire Department. Following the department’s “push in” ceremony, the Redmond Fire Department’s fleet is 100 percent Pierce apparatus.

“The Redmond Fire Department responds to a wide range of challenges—everything from fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS) to wildland firefighting—and relies on its equipment to perform at a very high level,” said Matt McLeish, senior vice president of sales and marketing of the Fire & Emergency segment. “We’re excited that these powerful, versatile, and innovative Pierce Velocity apparatus are now on duty in the home city of Microsoft and Nintendo of America.” 

“Over the course of my 35-year career in heavy equipment industries of all types, I’ve learned that the price tag is only the beginning of the cost of ownership,” said Doug Jones, Redmond Fire Department’s fleet manager for the past decade and someone who plays a significant role in vehicle purchases. “I’ve told my colleagues that the Pierce product is superior in terms of quality, reliability, and dealer support.”

Mike Hilley is the Redmond Fire Department Medical Services Administrator, health and safety officer, and head of its EMS Division. “Our protection area is similar to other suburban departments, but it presents some unique challenges, including the wildland urban interface issue,” said Hilley. “The new Pierce Velocity engines will spend 90 percent of their time working the suburban neighborhoods, but they will also support wildland response throughout the county. The aerial platform will serve the city’s urban and commercial areas, including the Microsoft and Nintendo of America campuses.”

The pair of identical Pierce Velocity pumpers each feature a big block Detroit DD13 500-hp engine, TAK-4® independent front suspension, Command Zone™ advance electronics, and side roll and front impact protection systems. The vehicles offer seating for four firefighters (with a seatbelt monitoring system), a wide range of compartmentation for rescue tools and equipment, and an EMS cabinet inside the cab. Each vehicle’s firefighting system includes a 1,500-gpm single-stage pump, a Husky™ 12 single-agent foam system, and a 500-gallon water tank.

The Pierce 100-foot aerial platform, also built on the Velocity chassis, features the same big block DD13 500-hp engine, TAK-4 independent front suspension, Command Zone advanced electronics, and side roll and front impact protection systems. The aerial platform offers a 50-mph wind rating, a five-inch waterway, and 2,000-gpm monitor, a wide and roomy platform basket, a Lyfe bracket rescue tool system, and LED rung lighting. Also on board is a portable compressed air foam system (CAFS)—in place of a full pump and tank—for quick response to car fires or similar emergencies.

All three apparatus include idle reduction technology (IRT) to reduce engine emi