On Thursday March 12th, the Smith Township Fire Department took delivery of a new 14 Foot non walk-in rescue truck from Life Star Rescue of Van Wert, Ohio.
This new rescue truck replaces a very old and worn out rescue truck. The previous rescue truck was a 1979 Chevrolet 1-ton Van with a utility box mounted on the back that was originally purchased and owned by Whitley County.
The new rescue truck is mounted on a 2009 Chevrolet C5500 series 4 door cab and chassis with a 330 HP Diesel Motor and Allison automatic transmission. Some of the other features of the new rescue will be, seating for 4 firefighters in a climate controlled cab, 14 foot aluminum rescue body, 9000 lbs. portable winch that can be used on all sides of the truck, 15,000 watt generator, 6000 watt light tower, SCBA fill station, Holmatro Hydraulic Rescue Tool System, and two new safety features – a color rear view camera system and red and white reflective Chevron striping on the rear of the truck.
“The truck will be utilized for carrying manpower, used as an air supply unit and transport rescue equipment to accidents and other industrial emergencies”, said fire chief Roger Bennett. “We now have a piece of apparatus that is safer for our personnel because they will all be facing forward and have seating with proper safety belts”, he continued.
The members of the rescue truck committee have spent many hours working on the specifications for this truck, viewing several in the area to get ideas for this since June of 2007 and several trips to Life Star Rescue in Van Wert.
Approximately 20 years ago Smith Township initiated a Cumulative Fire Fund and since it’s initiation the fund has given the township the ability to buy three quarters of a million dollars in fire equipment paid in full. “The taxpayers of Smith Township will not have to make payments or pay any interest to have this valuable resource available”, said former trustee Don Amber. “Smith Township will continue to save money for future purchases by the fire department as we have in the past with no additional strain on the pocketbooks of the taxpayers”, said current trustee Patty Amber.
The Smith Township Fire Department would like to thank the following members of the committee for their help in the job that they have done.
Roger Bennett – Chief, Committee Chairman
Wayne Krider – Assistant Chief
Jim Horne – Firefighter
Taya Walden – Firefighter
Tadd Shively – Captain
Don Chordas – Firefighter
Ron Slagal – Captain
Chris Tomlinson – Firefighter
