Selectpersons will consider three options to repair frame corrosion on the 2006 Engine 3 firetruck when they meet.

Fire Rescue Chief Mike Booker gave the board a heads-up on the problem last fall.

The frame has "severe corrosion," according to Booker and Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere.

Booker contacted Greenwood Emergency Vehicles in Massachusetts, a dealer of E-One firetrucks, to see if the company would cover the cost of repairing the frame.

"However, the frame corrosion is beyond the warranty," LaFreniere said.

Some warranty work for corrosion was done on the truck previously but more recently the Fire Rescue Department had to replace the fuel tank straps, brake lines, air dryer straps, exhaust, wiring, the primer and more.

There is no paint left on the frame and there is severe rust and corrosion, she said.

Department officers have reviewed three options and agree that the frame should be replaced because it is a major structural component and could become a huge safety concern if not fixed properly, Booker told selectpersons.

The truck manufacturer, E-One, would give the department frame replacement rails for free but the town would be responsible for the cost to remove the current frame and install a new one, he said. The cost is estimated at between $25,000 to $35,000 and would have to be done at its shop in North Attleboro, Mass.

That option is unanimously recommended by the officers in the department.

Another option is for North East Fire Apparatus in Auburn to remove the tank and the back half of the truck. It would use a needle-gun scrape-chisel on the frame and use an automotive type paint system on it, Booker wrote. The cost is between $12,000 and $15,000.

The third option from Cliff's Heavy Truck Repair in Windsor is to put the truck up on a lift and remove brackets, hoses and other parts to get at the frame. The frame would be sandblasted as much as possible. An epoxy-type paint system would be used to paint whatever can be reached. The cost is $15,000.

The board must approve using the department's Capital Account, which has about $365,000, to pay for the repairs.

For more information, view www.sunjournal.com

 

 

The Rogers Executive Airport has a new fire engine that cost $750,000. Rogers fire chief Tom Jenkins said the engine is going to make a big difference in fighting a potential aircraft fire.

"This apparatus is designed to pump nearly 2,000 gallons of water and foam and a special dry chemical agent to suppress fires that may result from aircraft fuel," Jenkins said.

He said even more important, the engine can pump water and foam while still being mobile. The engine can off-road, climb hills up to 30 degrees and get up to speeds of 75 mph.

"This is not your normal fire truck," Jenkins said. "This is a fire truck specifically designed for the types of emergencies that we can encounter at our airport here in Rogers."

Airport manager David Krutsch said the new engine is definitely an upgrade from their old equipment.

"Going from our 1990 model ARF unit to our new modern sophisticated unit represents a quantum leap in our capabilities," Krutsch said.

He said the airport sees around 120 flights a day and around 75,000 travelers a year. The engine will be housed at Station 3, located next to the control tower at Rogers Executive Airport.

For more information, view 5newsonline.com

 

 

Two people were taken to the hospital after a Bainbridge Fire Department fire truck rolled into a creek Monday morning.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on Upper Twin Road.

The fire truck, driven by Christopher Snyder, 41 of Bainbridge, was traveling westbound on Upper Twin Road responding to a structure fire when it went off the left side of the road and rolled into a creek.

Snyder and his passenger, Jenny Kemme, 43, of Bainbridge were transported to Adena Regional Medical Center. Kemme suffered minor injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Synder was transported for precaution.

For more information, view www.chillicothegazette.com

Four Battle Creek firefighters suffered minor injuries when their fire engine lost control and rolled onto its side Sunday.

Battle Creek police reported the accident about 1:15 p.m. on Washington Avenue near Battle Creek Avenue.

"They are all banged up and sore and with some minor injuries," Fire Chief Dave Schmaltz said late Sunday afternoon. "They all should be released from the hospital today."

All four firefighters were taken to Bronson Battle Creek and police also reported they appeared to have suffered just scrapes and bruises. Police said all four were briefly trapped in the engine.The injured firefighters' names had not been released Sunday evening.

The engine was northbound on Washington Avenue traveling from Station 6 on the city's south side to a residential fire call in the 400 block of North Washington Avenue.

"They just crested the hill and the road was icy and the rig started to slide," Schmaltz said. "They couldn't get control and it started to go sideways and it just slid off."

The truck turned onto its passenger side on the west side of the roadway. No other vehicles were involved. All four firefighters were wearing seat belts.

Two heavy tow trucks were needed to pull the engine back onto his wheels. The truck was heavily damaged.

Schmaltz said the 17-year-old engine will be examined for the exact damage, but he expects it will be extensive and the engine may have to be considered a total loss.

He said the city bought a similar engine about a year ago for $475,000 and usually retires trucks after 20-25 years.

For more information, view www.battlecreekenquirer.com

 

Clallam County Fire District 2 has announced the passing of retired fire Chief, Jon Carlson Bugher. Chief Bugher was originally hired by Clallam County Fire District 2 in September of 1994 as a consultant for the Administration of the Fire District. In November of 1998, the Board of Fire Commissioners offered him a fulltime position as Fire Chief, and he served in that capacity until his retirement on December 30, 2011.
- PUB DATE: 1/11/2016 1:50:42 PM - SOURCE: KONP-AM 1490