New Kensington, PA Bureau of Fire

[OPEN CAB MACK]

Question, and if I somehow overlooked it, I apologize for asking twice- I notice some trucks are bought used, to me it's a very good practice, that, probably more departments should exercise instead of buying new. How come some of the trucks are bought new (Engines 2, and 3) and then some are bought used like Engine 5 above? What determines (if anything besides money) what trucks are ordered new, and what is replaced with used, such as the Air Truck and Rescue?

 

Best of luck with the Seagrave, hope it serves you guys well!

 

Trav!

I will explain.  The city buys the engines and the ladder truck.  Every front line engine, and there are 5 was always purchased new as well as the aerial.  In 2001, our neighboring fire department, Lower Burrell No. 3 purchased a new Pierce Dash.  Their 1970/1988 Mack CF was placed for sale as they did not need it.  Our city purchased it and it was placed in service as Engine 2 due to a 4 door cab enclosure, more compartments etc.  At that time the 1979 Hamerly at Engine 2 was still in good shape and was placed in reserve status.  In 2008, an AFG grant successfully replaced the Mack.  Also, by that time, the Hamerly needed pump work and it was not going to be wise to dump a lot of money into a 30 year old rig that had a canopy cab and a standard transmission.  So it and the ex Lower Burrell Mack were sold.  So a 1980 American LaFrance Century, refurbed in 1992 by Lady & Taylor, was purchased to serve as a reserve.  In 2010 a successful AFG grant replaced Engine 3.  Engine 3 was a 1970 Mack CF refurbed in 1991 and served well for 41 years.  It is time to replace both engines at 4 & 5, however the city cannot afford such a purchase.  We have been looking for an engine within the means of the budget to fit Engine 5's demands.  After numerous trips to look and test, the Seagrave fit the mold perfectly.  As for Engine 1, it was purchased new in 1990. and Engines 4 & 5 were new in 1986.  But the air truck, rescues, service trucks and squads are purchased by the individual companies.  Station 1, downtown, houses Engine's 1 & 6, Truck 1, Air 1, and Squad 1.  Station 2, south end, houses Engine 2 and Service 2 (a heavy rescue), and Squad 2.  Station 3, hill district, houses Engine & Squad 3.  Station 4, east end, houses Engine 4, Rescue 4 and Squad 4.  And Station 5, north side, houses Engine 5, Service 5 (Re-Hab unit) and Squad 5.  Also, our department provides an ALS ambulance with 3 ambulances and a wheel chair van.  These are purchased by the Ambulance Corp.  Hope that helps.