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CHESTER, W.Va.-The purchase of two new trucks seems a fitting way to end the year in which the Chester Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Heavy Rescue 65 and Squad 63 recently joined the department’s fleet, which now comprises four trucks, two boats and one hovercraft. All the vehicles are under 5 years old.
“We’re working with all the newest, best stuff out there,” Chief John Hissam said, “which is a benefit both to our membership and to the community.”
The heavy rescue truck replaces a 1989 GMC truck that had become obsolete, Hissam said. “After so long, it’s time to replace it,” he said.
The vehicle carries six firefighters and is used on all medical calls and auto accident runs. It contains, among other things, medical supplies, rescue tools and an air bottle filling station.
The Chester VFD opened three sealed bids for the rescue truck in October 2013 and awarded the contract to HME Inc., of Wyoming, Mich., which bid $379,500. While the truck was manufactured by HME, the purchase was handled by First Due Fire Equipment in Chester, Hissam said.
Also added to the fleet recently was a 2015 Ford F-350 pickup truck, known simply as Squad 63. The truck will be used for transporting extra personnel and equipment to fire scenes, Hissam said.
The fire department acquired the truck for $54,000 from Grand Ford in East Liverpool, but was able to get a substantial discount because of a trade-in and a grant, Hissam said. In addition to standard fire truck gear, the truck has a 10,000-pound winch on the front.
All the electronic and radio work for the two trucks was done by Chad Lamp, and the lettering was done by Campbell Signs & Apparel in East Liverpool, Hissam said.
Hissam said the fire department’s annual Fall Bash, held in September, makes the vehicle and equipment purchases possible. The Fall Bash usually raises between $300,000 and $400,000 for the department.
“If it wasn’t for the Fall Bash and people buying the tickets, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” Hissam said, “so the customers are very important.”
Tickets for the 2015 Fall Bash, the 14th one, go on sale in March.