Area fire company gets new pumper-tanker
LUZERNE TWP. – More water in more places, that’s what the Tower Hill 2 Volunteer Fire Company’s new truck will provide. The 2009 pumper-tanker on a Spartan chassis was custom built for the fire department by 4-Guys, a company in Meyersdale, over the past 10 months. It pumps and hauls more water than the 1972 Mack pumper-tanker that it is replacing. The new truck can pump 1,500 gallons of water a minute, according to Chief Mike Kuznar. The old truck, which was refurbished in 1993, pumped 1,000 gallons a minute.
“The new truck carries 1,800 gallons of water. The old truck had 500 gallons of water on it,” Kuznar said.
Kuznar said the fire department started working on its plans to get a new pumper-tanker more than a year ago, seeking a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Homeland Security program last August.
The department received $262,390 through FEMA and put in the order for the custom truck in December 2008. The total cost was $297,964, with the balance coming from state Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, and funds from the fire department.
“Firefighter safety was number one,” Kuznar said of the customization the department sought. “The new truck has better rollover protection and full seatbelts. There’s reflective striping across the back for added visibility.”
In addition to the 1,800 gallons of water carried on the truck, Kuznar said a portable water tank is also available.
“We carry a 2,000 gallon portable tank that is used in rural areas where no fire hydrants are available,” Kuznar said.
Kuznar said the new truck is in service and ready for whatever the department faces, whether it’s a car fire, a house fire or any emergency requiring a large amount of water.