HARRISON — Last week selectmen approved the purchase of the replacement fire truck – which should arrive soon – after the town’s first responding engine was totaled in a rollover in January.
At their Thursday, Feb. 26 meeting, Harrison selectmen voted to buy the 2004 E-One Custom Pumper truck from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus in Union Grove, Ala., for $149,000. Town Manager George “Bud” Finch said the vehicle has less than 35,000 miles and only 3,000 hours of pump time.
“It does have foam capacity, too, which in this day and age is becoming more and more important with car fires,” he said.
All costs associated with replacing the 2000 Freightliner – which slid down an icy hill on Harrison Heights Road and rolled over into the woods, totaling the front chassis, after responding to a carbon monoxide detector alarm – is covered by insurance, according to Finch.
This covers preparation for service, including replacing all the tires, warranty, delivery to Harrison and travel expenses. The town received $179,000 from the insurance company and this will cover getting rid of the totaled truck, he said.
“At this price range, trucks are going pretty fast. At the last meeting the guys were just coming back from Connecticut,” Finch said about Fire Chief Dana Hayes and other fire personnel. “We wanted that truck and the next day it was sold.”
Finch added he was satisfied with the replacement truck.
“The E-one Custom Pumper is an upgrade over the replaced engine having enclosed seating for six with four of the seats being what are known as SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), seats which allow responding firefighters to be ready upon arrival at an emergency situation,” he said.
“Most importantly the opportunity rising out of the accident allows us to have a more advanced piece of equipment with an extended life beyond what the 2000 engine had.”
“I think we should congratulate the fire chief for going down to … Alabama for looking this over and representing us and making this decision,” Selectman Matt Frank said.
Finch added the engine should arrive in two weeks.
In other news, selectmen:
- approved recreation fees for 2016.
- directed Finch to get more information on requirements for a grant for four defibrillators before they accept it.
- approved road posting for the spring thaw.
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