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New Plymouth fire engine unveiled |
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Friday, 20 June 2008 |
 Fire Chief Andy Metsker, Wayne Smith, Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter and Don Gardner unveiled the new firetruck last night. Pilot photo/Rusty Nixon By Rusty Nixon
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — History repeating itself can be a good thing.
Plymouth’s Fire Department will celebrate its 150 year of service with a new truck, one that just happens to have been made by a company that has a history with Plymouth.
“It’s a Seagrave — they made the very first mechanized vehicle the Plymouth Department ever had,” said Plymouth Fire Chief Andy Metsker. “We did a lot of searching to see which company to use and they’re a good company with a good reputation. It’s got everything you need for a class one pumper.”
Everything including the ability for 1,500 gallons per minute, it carries six crewmembers, has six new air packs, and is fully equipped at a cost of $449,000. It even sports chrome wheel covers, donated by Seagrave since they mistakenly placed the siren on the wrong side of the vehicle.
Which side the siren is on actually makes no difference in the performance of the truck. The room available to firemen, however, is another story.
“We have more room for different equipment so we can add to just fire protection,” said Metsker. “We can add rescue equipment to this engine also.”
Engine 150 will hit the streets today after being unveiled yesterday at the fire station. The new truck increases the area’s ISO rating that is used by insurance companies.
It’s also passed the first test of one citizen.
“I had a ride in it last night and I got picked up at home this morning (Thursday) in it,” said Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter with a smile. “I sat right in the back with my son and we went around the block a couple of times. It rides like a truck but I like it.”
The city spent over a year doing the research for the purchase of the new truck and were able to get a considerable savings.
“I can’t take full credit for that, it all started with the previous administration, but it’s a great addition to the city and our great fire department we have here,” said Senter.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 23 June 2008 )
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