Walker Fire Fleet Priorities
We recently added a brand new Type 3 engine primarily for wildland fires but it is of course plenty functional for structure fires as well. We got a grant for the new truck and there are revenue opportunities from the new truck that could allow us to upgrade other vehicles in the fleet some of which are very old.
1. Replace Engine 86
This truck is for structure fires. It has certain specs that we must have that differ from the new Engine. The current Engine 86 is 37 years old, we have a tough time finding parts for it when something breaks and there are a dozen steps required to get water flowing versus 3 or 4 steps for a modern truck. We can get a used replacement.
2. Water Tender 82
It's about 30 years old and goes down frequently. We have no hydrant system here so water tenders are a crucial source of water for all fires.
3. Water Tender 81
This one is also about 30 years old. It is more reliable than 82 but it is very difficult to find 2nd gear in this one.
4. Not so much our Rescue
This is the catalyst for today's list. A new board member misguidedly believes we should make replacing our ambulance a top priority. Upgrading fire equipment allows us to provide better service and promotes firefighter safety. We do not transport patients (big political thing). Our ambulance is more like a cargo van with medical equipment. When we get on scene, we take the equipment we need out of the rig and go tend to the patient. The ambulance company then transports the patient. If we upgraded our ambo, we would still arrive on scene, take the equipment we need out of the rig and go tend to the patient. The ambulance company would still transport the patient.
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