Firefighters check out new truck
CRANBERRY TWP — Members of the township's volunteer fire department took turns touring their new ladder truck Tuesday evening.
The $1 million Pierce fire truck was delivered to the station on Haine School Road with about 50 members and their families in attendance. With a ladder that can reach 75 feet, fire officials are hopeful the new apparatus will ensure fire protection for a township that is expected to see larger buildings in smaller spaces.
The engine, which will be identified as Ladder-21 and housed at the substation, will officially be put into service following in-house training, said Cranberry Fire Chief Todd Rice. Firefighters must first learn to drive the new truck as well as handle its ladder and water pumps.
Training could take up to two weeks, Rice said.
“This is something that should really benefit the community,” he said. “With everything that is going on around here, you're going to need something that can get into narrower streets and into tight areas.”
In 2012, the fire department's truck committee began discussions to purchase a new vehicle. It was decided that a second ladder truck would be bought to complement the 100-foot aerial tower truck kept at the department's Route 19 station.
Steve Dancisin, a member of the truck committee, said bid proposals were sent out for a ladder truck that would include room for six firefighters in the cab and a 500-gallon water tank. Pierce Manufacturing submitted the only bid.
“I'm really proud of the effort the committee did to get us here. The truck looks awesome,” Dancisin said.
The truck was built in Wisconsin and driven to Glick Fire Equipment Co. in Zelienople on May 1 where radios were installed and other equipment mounted. The fully operational truck was officially delivered Tuesday to its new station.
After its dedication, the truck's ladder was extended into the air several times as firefighters began learning the controls.Richard Barch has been a member of the Cranberry fire department for 15 years. He said the township has grown rapidly during that time, and pointed to the development along Route 228.“It's unbelievable to see how much is here now,” Barch said. “I'm glad they bought the second (ladder) truck so both ends of the township are covered.”
