Wilmington, DE

[Rob Pryor]

In July, Wilmington Ladder 1 (2006 Pierce 100' TDA) was involved in an accident where a stolen car was crashed into the tiller wheel area while fleeing from police.  The only firefighter injury was to the tillerman who was thrown into the door of the tiller cab and injured his shoulder.  This member is still of on light duty.  The department used well worn reserve Ladder 3, 1998 KME TDA to replace it during the repair.  The truck was recently placed back into service after a lengthy repair.  During this time, Tower 2 (2006 Pierce 95' mid-mount tower) went down with major engine trouble.  This issue forced the WFD to get creative and look to lease a ladder for a few months.  While the search was under way, the city's shops were able to perform a temporary fix to Tower 2.  WFD leased a 1998 HME/Quality/RK Aerials 109' rear mount from Brindlee Mountain.  This ladder was the ex-Truck 1 from Wilson, NC.  Both ladders have now returned to service, and the specs have rescently been drawn up for a new TDA to replace Ladder 3.  The new TDA will go to Ladder 2 and the 06 Tower will be placed into reserve.  Currently the ladder is not out to bid, awaiting on city procurement approval to be put out to bid. 

[Rob Pryor]

An update to this.  The ex-Wilson NC truck is due to be returned to Brindlee (if it hasn't already been).  Less than a month after returning to service, the 2006 tower blew it's power steering pump and is now out of service again.  We are being told at least a week or two.  The 1999 KME TDA is in service at Ladder 2, but the aerial can't be used as it failed it's annual inspection and an outrigger has a crack in it. 

[Rob Pryor]

Some Wilmington updates.  In December 2014, Engine 6 (2007 Pierce Dash) slid down a snow covered street while parked at an another accident scene and struck an apartment building, causing heavy damage to the structure and to the pumper.  The engine had actually been parked at the scene for up to 10 minutes when the unattended truck slid down the hill.  The engine was trailered to Appleton for a rebuild and is due to return in the next week or two.  In February, the WFD placed an order with Atlanitc Emergency Soloutions (Pierce dealer) for a 100' TDA with an Arrow XT tractor.  This is due to be delivered in the October 2015 timeframe.  In the capital budget for fiscal 2016, which has yet to be approved are two new engines to replace the 99 KME reserve engines currently at Engine 102 and Engine 105.  

[Rob Pryor]

Some Wilmington updates.  The new Ladder 2 is in production, http://www.atlanticemergency.com/custom/...7#job28762 most recent pics of construction, it is due to be delivered late next month.  The new ladder will replace Reserve Ladder 3, a 1998 KME 100' TDA.  The current Tower 2, a 2006 Pierce 95' mid-mount will be placed in reserve status.  A major overhaul in operations is in the works where company responsibilities will be shifted around, including reducing the department to 1 squad company instead of  the current 2.  The department will still operate with 6 engines and 2 ladders.  More details on that to come once the changes are finalized.  These changes will affect where current apparatus is assigned.  In the future plans are to order 2 new engines to replace the 1999 KMEs at Engine 102 (formerly Engine 3) and Engine 105 (formerly Engine 6), both reserves, but limping toward the finish line!  The new engines are tentatively slated to go to Engines 1 and 5. 

[cml0774]

Going with all red

[Rob Pryor]

Yes, the new Ladder 2 will be all red, a welcome change in my opinion!  No plans to re-paint anything else at this point.

[Rob Pryor]

As discussed in a previous post, Effective 1/1/2016 the Wilmington FD will be making numerous operational changes that will shift many apparatus and company responsibilities.  Squad 1 and Squad 3 will be disbanded and one squad company will be formed at Engine 4, running as Squad 4.  Squad 4 will be assigned the current Squad 1, a 2013 Dash CF.  This company will have a small first due area and will be 3rd due on all boxes in the city not in their 1st due, as well as technical and vehicle rescue responsibilities.  The 3rd due company on all boxes will be assigned search & rescue operations, currently the 3rd due company is assigned as the RIT.  RIT will now only be sent on working alarms and will be the 4th due engine company.  Engine 4's 2006 Dash 54' Squrt will be assigned to Engine 3.  The current Squad 3, 2012 Dash CF will be assigned as Engine 6.  Engine 6's current 2007 Dash will be assigned to Engine 1.  Overall the department will continue to operate 6 Engine companies ( 1 as a Squad company) and 2 ladder companies.