New rescue truck stands tall, offers all

The new truck was put into service right away after recent thunderstorms.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Assistant Chief Tony Sferra turns the fire engine off McKinley Way and into the back entrance of the Western Reserve Fire District headquarters on Main Street.
"There's nothing to it," he said. " ... The only difference between this and your car is, it's a little bit wider, a little bit taller and a little bit longer."
For the record, the new vehicle, an "engine rescue," is almost 11 feet tall, and nearly 36 feet long. It has a 750-gallon water tank and a pump that can push out 1,500 gallons per minute.
One hose is 4 inches wide and 1,000 feet long. Another is half that width and length.
The $344,000 Pierce Dash engine was delivered to the department late last month and was broken in quickly when the district received several calls of downed wires and trees during recent thunderstorms.
The district serves Poland village and township.
Sferra said the new aluminum truck is equipped with several compartments to allow the department to carry more emergency and rescue equipment. As the years pass, he said, more equipment is required and trucks must be updated.
Other advantages
It carries electrical cords, ladders, hoses, lights, wooden blocks, equipment to cut injured passengers from cars and a saw that can cut through a metal roof.
"When you're out to do a job, you've got to have the tools to do the job," he said.
Another difference in the new truck is an open pump station, allowing a pump operator to see on both sides, rather than just one side, as in other stations.
There is a night light that raises 15 feet above the truck, provides four lights with halogen bulbs, and "lights it up like it's daylight," Sferra said.
The truck can carry up to eight firefighters. Five sit in seats backed with oxygen tanks, ready to be strapped on.
Sferra said new trucks are needed regularly as engines start to wear down after about 20 years of service.
Other trucks in the fleet were built in 1997, 1992 and 1983.
A 1976 truck is being refurbished and will be used for backup and to assist other departments with major calls.
viviano@vindy.com