To mark its 150th year in service, Sharpsburg (PA) Volunteer Fire Department purchased a $700,000 Spartan Metro Star 75-foot aerial truck to replace its 21-year-old ladder truck, reports triblive.com.

Improved safety features on the new apparatus include seating for six with SCBA units, better ladder lighting, a larger pump, and more hose.

The truck was originally marked at $1 million before sellers slashed about 30% from the price. The old aerial was sold to a fire department in Alton, N.H.

An official says a 20-year loan, combined with revenue from the borough’s fire tax, will cover payments.

Officials say the Hot Springs (AR) Fire Department’s 1995 LTI tiller has been showing its age recently, and now the board will consider Tuesday night a resolution to award a $1,999,695 contract to Emergency Vehicle Specialists for the purchase of a Pierce Manufacturing tiller and loose equipment, reports hotsr.com.

A workhorse since it arrived at Central Fire Station 25 years ago, the current truck was used to respond to a fire on Prospect Avenue earlier this week, but it’s in need of maintenance.

An official says a potential new truck would be delivered from Pierce’s Appleton, Wisc., factory in 2022 if the board endorses the purchase. Debt the state Constitution allows local governments to finance over five years would be used to purchase the truck. The 1995 apparatus would then be used as a reserve.

The $135 million 2021 budget the board adopted in December included $2.95 million in capital expenses purchased with Amendment 78 financing. It included $2.24 million for a new ladder truck. In March, the board selected U.S. Bancorp Government Leasing and Finance, Inc. to carry the note at an interest rate of 1.29%. The ladder truck was budgeted in the fire fund’s firefighting equipment line item.

Related Articles:
Fayetteville (AR) Fire Department’s New Tiller Leaves Plant
Richmond (VA) Fire Department Adds City’s First Tiller in 23 years
Wilkes-Barre City (PA) Firefighters IAFF Local 104 Trains with New Tiller Ladder
Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department to Unveil New Tiller Ladders

Sutphen—Eastlake (OH) Fire Department pumpers (2). Monarch cabs and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engines; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 750-gallon water tanks; Command Light KL415-D-FS light towers; Whelen M9V2 warning/scene lights. Dealer: Ray Capezzuto, Herb Fire Equipment, Powell, OH.

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Columbia Southern University Names Inaugural 2021 Outstanding EMS Professionals

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Columbia Southern University (CSU) recently recognized Philadelphia paramedic Lt. Patrick Carey as its inaugural 2021 Outstanding Emergency Medical Services Professional of the Year. Carey began his career in 1994 and has earned several awards for acts of heroism since, including the National Liberty Award of Valor for rescuing an infant from a car fire in 2013.

“Being a paramedic in stressful situations, I am able to keep patients calm while protecting them and providing excellent medical care. It’s a wonderful feeling and makes me feel proud,” said Carey.

Carey is an EMS instructor for Pennsylvania and a state evaluator for paramedic and emergency medical technicians. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in emergency services management from CSU.

Runner-up for the debut award is Michael Wolfe, an EMS/emergency preparedness coordinator for Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, Indiana. He began working as an EMT in 1984 and became a paramedic in 1987. He has worked in the private sector, volunteer and career fire services. In 2016, he retired as division chief of EMS for the Plainfield, Indiana, Fire Territory after 18 years and began working for Hendricks Regional Health. Wolfe is also seeking a master’s in public administration to add to his bachelor’s degree in homeland security.

A leader in public safety education, CSU established the Outstanding EMS Professional Award to recognize students and graduates serving in the EMS field for their commitment to saving lives, professionalism and their accomplishments in the field during National EMS Week (May 16-22). CSU also awards outstanding law enforcement, fire service and occupational safety and health professionals.

About Columbia Southern University
As an innovator in online education, CSU was established in 1993 to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience for today’s adult learner. CSU offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs such as business administration, criminal justice, fire administration and occupational safety and health. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu or call (877) 347-6050 to learn more.