COVINGTON - If you see a red fire truck in the streets of Covington rather than the usual white pumpers, you've seen the pride of Fire Chief Stoney Bowles. City officials and citizens joined firefighters as Bowles unveiled his department's new state-of-the-art fire truck Wednesday afternoon at Station 22 on Pace Street.
The Covington City Council set aside funds in the 2015-2016 budget to cover the $499,953 price tag and in July 2015 awarded the contract to the low bidder, Williams Fire Apparatus of Ashland, Ala. The Sutphen vehicle replaces a 1993 model.
New safety features noted by Bowles include the truck’s ability to pump 2,000 gallons of water per minute, more than the rate pumped by the department’s current fleet of trucks. The truck has a 750 gallon water tank, while the trucks on hand hold 500 gallons.
Headsets and an intercom system will allow riders in the truck to communicate with each other without interference from outside noises, Bowles said. The truck has better capabilities to navigate in snow. An attack hose is coiled on the front bumper, also a new feature.
The cab has frontal impact airbags, a backup camera and increased storage space, a bonus for firefighters who pack much equipment to do their work and, according to Bowles, have complained in the past about lack of adequate storage space.
“Nothing is mechanical on this truck. Everything is electronic,” the chief said. “All-in-all the technology is a great improvement. We are going to be the pride of Covington.”