Lowell Area Fire Department issued the following announcement on Jan 26.
Trucks, Trucks & More Trucks Behind the scenes look into our apparatus. We have 2 Engines, 1 Tender, 1 Brush unit, 1 Brush / Medical Unit, 1 Medical truck, 1 Command unit, 1 UTV, 2 boats and an air trailer. The average cost of a fire engine is roughly $700,000.00 which is up 16 percent over last year. All the trucks require fuel, oil, and several types of insurance coverage. Our projected fuel cost for this fiscal year is $9,000.00. Each truck requires maintenance and annual DOT testing. All hoses in house and on the truck require annual hose testing, pumps on the trucks and ladders all require annual testing. All the fire extinguishers, SCBA's, rescue tools, and breathing air compressor get tested annually.
The Engines are on a 20 year service life rotation. Fun Facts; Back in the 1900s, roads were mostly filled with black-colored cars as black paint was cheap and durable, most of the automobiles were manufactured by Ford. Fire trucks were painted red to stand out amongst the sea of black vehicles vying for space on the roads. Also, Dalmatians and Fire Trucks originated from when fire trucks were horse-drawn carriages, the dogs would run alongside to alert of any threats and were natural security for the rider. Accordingly to the American Kennel Club, Dalmatians were originally bred to guard horses. Our trucks have a response order and it is based on the nature of the call. There is so much equipment that has to be stored on each truck and it is "geared" (see what i did there) toward the purpose of the truck. We have boats for water rescue and there is a lot of gear required for that, the big ticket item being a completely waterproof suit with a hood, integrated gloves, and attached boots. This suit allows us to be able to function for long periods of time in icy cold water. Each suit is about $700.00.
Our UTV is very multifunctional. We can get to places that our trucks cannot travel, it carries water and can be used to aid with brush fires, used for social events where there are large crowds, it contains a full medical bag & backboard. We have come along way since the days of the bucket brigades. Our shirts, jackets, radios, trucks and even the engine on our boat are adorned with our fire department logo giving us an inherent responsibility to the community we serve. We take pride in our apparatus and house. We take pride in our training and pride in our department that is rich in history and a career that is filled with traditions.
Original source can be found here.
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