By Alan M. Petrillo
The Roanoke (IN) Fire Department was in need of a new engine and started to look for a new pumper, but its regular apparatus dealer dropped the brand that Roanoke was interested in, and the manufacturer’s sales representative for the brand didn’t correspond with the department, so they started talking to other medium- and smaller-sized apparatus makers.
“We found ourselves talking with Summit Fire Apparatus, and Joe Messmer, Summit’s president, told me the story of the company,” says Brandon Taylor, now Roanoke’s chief and also owner of Taylor’d Equipment Sales & Install. “Summit offered a better price truck for smaller departments, aimed at those working on a tight budget, and I thought they were a good fit for us.”
Taylor says, “So I presented Summit to the fire department as a company to consider, recused myself, and had the department deal directly with Summit’s head of sales, Eric Gausman. I wanted the fire department to make the decision independent of me, and they chose to work with Summit.”
The rig that Roanoke had Summit build is a top-mount pumper on a Spartan chassis and cab with seating for six firefighters and an interior EMS (emergency medical services) cabinet. The pumper is powered by a 380-horsepower (hp) Cummins L9 diesel engine, and an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission, and has a 1,500-gallons-per-minute (gpm) Mac One pump, a 1,000-gallon water tank, a Class One Intella tank water level gauge, and two Whelen PSTANK series remote water level gauges mounted externally.
Summit Fire Apparatus built this top mount custom pumper for Roanoke (IN) Fire Department on a Spartan chassis and cab with seating for six firefighters. (Photos courtesy of Summit Fire Apparatus.)Messmer notes that Roanoke’s firefighters like the idea of a top-mount pump, where the operator is able to see the entire scene. He estimates that top-mounts make up 30-40% of Summit’s pumper market. “While a top-mount gives the pump operator great visibility on a fire scene, it also adds a few feet of length to the pumper, so that’s something a department has to consider,” Messmer observes.
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Posted: Jan 15, 2022
Greater Fall River (MA) fire departments are getting nearly $94,000 in grants to purchase safety equipment, reports heraldnews.com.
The state awarded a total of $5 million to 306 fire departments across Massachusetts via its Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program.
Departments receiving funds include:
- Fall River: $34,930
- Freetown: $15,500
- Somerset: $16,401.19
- Swansea: $13,424.79
- Westport: $13,645.62
Departments are permitted to use the money to buy any of the 118 types of eligible safety gear, including personal protective clothing, washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, tools and extrication equipment, communications gear, hazardous gas meters, and fitness equipment. They can also use it to buy equipment to help comply with OSHA or NFPA safety standards.
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Posted: Jan 14, 2022
After hearing of the devastating tornadoes in KY, the Rochester (MA) Fire Department decided to do something. Cayce—with its population of about 150 people—was hit especially hard, the department learned. It was then that they sprung into action.
The apparatus arrived at its final destination Wednesday. The former Rochester Tanker 198 made its 1,036-mile journey and was welcomed by several members of the Fulton County Fire Department.
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Posted: Jan 14, 2022
The DeLand (FL) Fire Department is holding the grand opening of its Station 81 on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Located at 343 W Howry Ave., the new station is 16,000 square feet and cost $5.5 million. The old Station 81, at 201 W. Howry Ave., was around 9,000 square feet.
Its predecessor will be torn down and made into a public parking lot, officials say.
“Please join us in the grand opening celebration of the new DeLand Fire Department Station 81 and DeLand Police Department Evidence Building!” the department writes on Facebook.
“The event will include remarks from Mayor Apgar, Fire Chief Todd Allen, and Police Chief Jason Umberger. Open house style tours of Station 81 will be available. Light refreshments will be provided.”
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