The fire company’s truck committee, encompassed mainly of former and current fire officers, did not want to get just another new pumper, said Lou McCall, fire captain and vice president, who has chaired the committee since its foundation nearly two years ago.

“Instead, we wanted an apparatus that would replace and combine both Surf City’s oldest pumper and its only rescue truck that were both exclusively used in, and victims of, Hurricane Sandy into one easy to use truck,” McCall stated. “It was also a high priority that we also considered the increasing amounts of homes being raised on pilings.”

The committee invested thousands of hours into getting the perfect truck. Members even visited with the Union Township Fire Department, which has the only other boomer in the state, McCall said.

“They were outstanding, allowing us to take quality time to show us and have some hands-on experience with their truck,” he stated. “We are grateful to them for that opportunity as it sold us on its capabilities.”

The boom on Surf City’s new truck, which can reach 28 feet, has a master stream nozzle on the end that can flow 1,000 gallons per minute and lift up to 1,000 pounds. The boom end also has a 6,000-watt light tower. Hose connections can serve as an elevated connection pipe to a raised residential structure, if needed, McCall said.