New fire truck designed to meet the needs of the FMFD
The pride is palpable.
On Wednesday, April 13, the Fort Montgomery Fire District took possession of its new 2022 Pierce Enforcer, a Rescue/Engine truck (#422) that will be replacing two of the FMFD’s older trucks.
If you follow the department on social media, you’ve seen the journey. The Fort Montgomery Fire District ordered the truck about six months ago, after a committee — made up of Don Smith, Greg Maher, TE Armstrong, John Monteleone, Andrew Lynch and Dave Tonneson did the necessary research.
“This truck is the best of the best,” Chief Ryan Falk said Sunday. He, Smith and firefighters Seth Armstrong and Lee Steinmetz were at the firehouse working on the transfer of equipment from Rescue 424 and Engine 422 to the new truck.
They were thrilled to spend a few minutes talking about the new truck.
The FMFD celebrates it’s 90th anniversary this year, and members make no attempt to hide their love for their department, their community, and the nation. When you see the truck, note the American flag image built into the grill of it.
The truck cost $650,000 and was built to the specifications needed to cover the 48-square miles of their territory. It was built in Appleton, Wisconsin, brokered by Firematic, in Patterson.
Why now? Several reasons. The first is that the two trucks it is replacing are from 1992 and 1994. By replacing them with one vehicle they can “roll one vehicle instead of two to any call and have everything we need,” Steinmetz said. Smith also pointed out that one vehicle replacing two means they’ll save money in insurance, less maintenance will be required, and they’ll even save on fuel.
“We want to provide the best coverage we can, but also look out for the taxpayers,” Falk agreed. “This apparatus will be able to transport eight firefighters and is outfitted to first-respond to any type of emergency incident in our district.”
The two old vehicles will be sold at auction or via a bidding process.
The new truck also features the best of modern technology with LED lighting “that will light up any scene,” Steinmetz said, and storage cubbies in every possible location. It’s got rooftop storage, built-in ladder and hoses, even a hopper for Speedy-Dry, a substance used to soak up hazardous materials which leak from vehicles at accidents. It holds 1000 gallons of water and 30 gallons of firefighting foam.
“In this one truck, we will have everything we need at car accidents, mountain rescues, fires … “ Falk said.
Going on right now, along with the transfer of equipment from the old trucks, is also driver training on the new truck — not everyone will get the privilege of driving it; Armstrong points out that there’s a training process which includes learning on the older, more simple trucks first.
The new 422 was set to go in service on Wednesday of this week. The community will see it on calls, and FMFD members are planning a celebratory ‘wet-down’ for this summer. The firefighters who were on hand Sunday promise it will also be a part of the town’s July 4th parade.
The fire house has been busy the last few weeks as all of the FMFD’s three dozen or so members have stopped by to see it — Armstrong even drove his kids straight from the airport to the fire house as they returned from vacation last week.
“We’re thrilled that it’s here,” the chief said. “ Thank you to the members of the truck committee for all the time spent on building the beautiful apparatus.”
The FMFD, like all of the town’s other volunteer organizations, is always looking for new members. Stop by the fire house any Thursday evening to talk to a firefighter about joining their ranks.
