The city's South Fire District just took delivery of a premium combination engine and ladder truck which will allow firefighters to operate a state-of-the-art apparatus and give Middletown's other three stations access to the only multiuse emergency vehicle in town.
The 2016 model 105-foot Pierce Arrow heavy-duty ladder truck, which will be used by the district's 36-member crew, meets all current state Department of Transportation, National Fire Protection Association and emergency standards, according to South Fire District Chief Robert Ross. "Its safety features include airbags, anti-roll protection and a different suspension system that offers a much-improved ride and stability on the road. It has a bigger pump and is equipped with a (more efficient) class A foam."
Also, the truck can can pump up to 2,000 gallons per minute as opposed to the older vehicle, which could only handle 1,500 gallons within that time frame, the chief explained. South Fire's coverage area -- essentially from South Main Street to the Connecticut River -- consists of the 25-square-mile South Farms area of the city.
A quintuple combination pumper, referred to as a quint by crews, is a fire service apparatus that serves the dual purpose of an engine and ladder truck, Ross said. Quint refers to its five functions -- it works as a pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device and ground ladder.
As part of the last budget package, Ross explained, voters approved up to $950,000 for a new truck and equipment. "We negotiated $945,000, less the $35,000 trade-in value (for the former 20-year-old truck), and negotiated an additional $15,000 worth of equipment. We'll probably spend in the $940,000 range by the time we equip it and have radios installed," he added.