Oneida >> The Oneida Fire Department has a new truck in its fleet. The OFD replaced its previous rescue or EMS truck, a 2000 model, with a new 2016 F-450. The cost of the new truck is $120,000; however, the OFD was able to bring the figure down to roughly $95,000 after receiving $25,000 for the old truck.
OFD Fire Chief Kevin Salerno said the EMS truck is the “workhorse” of the department, responding to more than 1,800 calls a year. The new truck will be used in response to medical calls, but will not be used for motor vehicle accidents according to Salerno as a converted engine to rescue pumper, which also has rescue-supply materials will be used specifically for accidents.
Along with emergency medical supplies and dressings, the new EMS truck has the ability to accommodate multiple generators on an as-needed basis.
The previous truck had exceeded its 10-year life expectancy, and was rusting out.
Salerno said typically, trucks in the OFD fleet are replaced every 10 to 15 years.
The City of Oneida borrow money to pay for rescue truck with municipal bonds, a move anticipated by the city budget for 2015. Salerno said he first put in a request for the new vehicle at the end of 2014.
The chief said the amount received for the old EMS truck was a pleasant, but unexpected surprise.
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Posted: Apr 28, 2016
Leaping Lena, a 1938 fire engine, has been restored by mechanics in the Lakeland department. Her name is Leaping Lena, she is 78 years old and she has a new facelift. We are talking about a 1938 Lakeland fire engine that was in service up to the early '70s -- but since then has been mothballed.
Lakeland Fire mechanics Jonathan Beale and Matt Warner restored Lena to her former glory. They said 3 years ago saying they saw a diamond in the rough.
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Posted: Apr 28, 2016
Not everybody has the ability to glance over a 1957 International once used as a water tanker fire truck and envision a barbecue smoker.
But Meridian mechanic Terry Wilson did just that.
It took Wilson and fellow mechanic Tony Todd seven years to build a three-pit smoker. The vehicle, which once extinguished fires, now satisfies the palate with all sorts of delicacies at catered events.
The former fire truck was once a part of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department in Kemper County.
"My dad bought it and was going to make a dump truck out of it," Wilson said. "I walked one time around the truck and said I wanted it. I saw a barbecue smoker in it. After a couple of years, my dad decided he wasn't going to do the dump truck and let me have it."
Wilson said the smoker became operational in 2013. The first catered event using the new smoker was Run for the Wall bike ride just before Memorial Day at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. Some 400 meals were prepared during that particular event.
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Posted: Apr 28, 2016
The North Corning Fire Department purchased a brand new engine recently to add to its ability to combat blazes.
The North Corning Fire Department added a new fire engine recently to strengthen the department’s fleet.
The new engine was built by Midwest Fire in Luverne Mn and replaces two of the department's aging engines.“It’s an all in one truck versus having two separate trucks,” North Corning Fire Chief Dave Wyre said.The engine measures out at 33 feet and 60,000 pounds, officials said. It carries 3,000 gallons of water and is suitable for a variety of circumstances.
The truck cost $270,000. The department paid for the truck via a loan through Community Leasing Partners.The department also purchased a modified 2013 GMC truck alongside the new engine for transporting additional firefighters and extra tools.
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