PRESS RELEASE

The Luray Fire Department has taken delivery of its new rescue-engine. Two years ago, the department began building a rescue-engine to replace its 1998 RD Murray heavy squad. Originally, the department worked with Atlantic Emergency Solutions and Pierce Manufacturing to spec a new unit. Inflation and rising costs of emergency equipment brought the cost of the truck in at a whopping $1.3 million new, with an approximate delivery time of 36 months.

Faced with a dilemma of needing to upgrade the squad and purchase new air-packs, it was decided to search for a used truck. After months of searching various truck brokers, the truck committee found a 2017 Pierce rescue-engine located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Except for a few items, the truck was nearly what the committee was planning to have built new. The department voted to purchase the truck for $540,000. After paint, lettering, and up fitting with equipment mounts specific to our equipment, it provided the department with a cost savings of well over $500,000.

The rescue-engine concept will allow the department to combine all the essential equipment of a heavy squad and integrate the capabilities of an engine for fighting fire when needed. This will also allow one piece of equipment to respond to certain calls, requiring only one driver, but having the tools and capabilities of two trucks. This will enhance our fire suppression and lifesaving capabilities for citizens of our community and visitors to our community alike.

The department’s heavy squad will be sold. It is currently listed on Govdeals.

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The city of Redmond, Washington made the following Facebook post recently:

The Redmond Fire Department is on track to receive the first electric fire apparatus in the state of Washington. As the city continues to improve its sustainability, the next step is transitioning heavy-duty vehicles from gas to electric. By going electric the city is reducing emissions, air pollution, and noise with no compromise to performance, functionality, or safety. The city is excited to lead the way with an electric fire apparatus.

Redmond Affirms Commitment to Sustainability with Purchase of Electric Fire Apparatus

On Feb. 7, 2023, Redmond City Council authorized the acceptance of a grant toward the purchase of the City’s first electric fire apparatus. The fire department applied for and received a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology, which covers 25% of the costs of the electric engine program. Redmond will be the first agency in the state to receive the grant, and the engine will be the first electric fire engine in Washington, as well as one of the first few in the country.   

The Pierce Volterra electric fire engine is the first to enter service and has proven effective in its years of use. The project’s total costs, including charging infrastructure, are $2.3 million, of which the grant will pay for nearly $600,000. It is estimated to take about 25 months to receive the new unit now that it has been ordered, as each Volterra engine is built to order. 

Madison, Wisconsin, currently has an electric unit in service, and new electric units will enter service this year in Portland, Oregon, and Gilbert, Arizona. In preparation for this project, Redmond Fire Department personnel visited Madison, Wisconsin, where a Volterra engine has been in service since 2021. They met with Madison’s fire personnel to discuss their experience with the electric engine and its benefits.

“We’ve learned the benefits of these new electric engines reducing fuel costs, and with its backup diesel engine, it will be even more reliable than a traditional diesel engine,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “Quieter operations also help our first responders communicate at the scene of an incident and keep our Redmond community safe.” 

Redmond’s Environmental Sustainability Action Plan targets 2030 for city operations to achieve carbon neutrality. The electric fire engine will contribute towards this goal, and its location at Fire Station 12 will also reduce diesel emissions in the vicinity of the station. 

Redmond’s grant is from the Washington State Clean Diesel Program and Volkswagen Settlement Grant Program, in cooperation with the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grants program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The DERA program funds state and local governments to replace or modernize old diesel vehicles with alternative technologies.

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TOYNE—Wayne Township (OH) Fire Rescue pumper-tanker. Freightliner 114SD four-door 6×4 cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; stainless steel body; Hale Qmax-XS 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 3,000-gallon water tank; 25-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 Class A foam system; Syntex 3,000-gallon portable tank; Zico hydraulic porta-tank rack. Dealer: Randy Smalley, Tri State Fire, Monongahela, PA.

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The City of Hendersonville celebrated the grand opening of Fire Station 1 with a ceremony that brought together city officials, fire department personnel, partnering organizations, and community members. The event, held on Friday, Sept. 20, at the new station located at 851 North Main Street, marked a significant milestone in enhancing the city’s emergency response capabilities. 

“The construction of this fire station represents the hard work and dedication of many people who have prioritized the safety of Hendersonville residents and visitors,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief D. James Miller. “From City Council’s vision and ongoing support to the tireless professionalism of the men and women of this department, I thank them for their commitment which makes the construction of a state-of-the-art facility like this possible.” 

The ceremony commenced with a welcome from City Manager John Connet, who introduced Captain Cameron Womack for an invocation. Budget & Evaluation Director Adam Murr followed with remarks, highlighting the collaborative efforts that made the new station possible. Chief D. James Miller then addressed the attendees, reflecting on the station’s importance to the growing Hendersonville community and the proud history of the department which has faithfully served since 1892. 

Mayor Barbara Volk, joined by City Council members, presented resolutions of appreciation to partnering organizations which provided temporary homes for engine companies, staff, and equipment while the new station was under construction. Thanks to the collaboration of Henderson County, Henderson County Emergency Management, Henderson County Rescue Squad, Valley Hill Fire & Rescue, Dana Fire & Rescue, Green River Fire & Rescue, and Carolina Village, the Hendersonville Fire Department was able to provide uninterrupted service of the highest level while Station 1 was rebuilt.  

Instead of a typical ribbon-cutting to unveil the building, the event featured a hose uncoupling, followed by a traditional fire-service push-in ceremony. Attendees witnessed the new engine and tower apparatuses being ceremonially pushed into the station bays by firefighters. 

Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to tour the state-of-the-art facility designed by ADW Architects and built by EDIFICE Construction. Station 1 spans 19,745 square feet and houses three companies and their Battalion Chiefs, along with living quarters, administrative offices, and a Fire Department training room. Sustainability features include photovoltaic solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, and permeable pavers for stormwater management. Air quality/apparatus exhaust venting improvements, a decontamination area, and built-in equipment for rescue training were incorporated into the station’s design to better protect and train firefighters. 

The Hendersonville Fire Department appreciates all the community members who joined them in celebrating Fire Station 1. 

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