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Western Reserve district adds squad unit to its arsenal
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The Western Reserve Joint Fire District recently received its new first-responder squad vehicle that can transport firefighters and 150 gallons of water to scenes of emergency. Assistant Chief Tony Sferra, left, led the committee to purchase the new squad car, which cost about $135,000.
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Assistant Chief Tony Sferra led the committee to purchase the new squad car, which cost about $135,000.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Poland Firemen’s Association annual pancake breakfast (dine in or carry-out)
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Knights of Columbus, 3305 Center Road (U.S. Route 224) in Poland
ADMISSION: Adults $5, children $3, children 4 and younger free. Tickets are available at the door or from any Poland firefighter.
POLAND
The newest addition to the Western Reserve Joint Fire District is taking the place of two vehicles.
About two weeks ago, a squad quick-attack unit arrived at Station 92, 7519 Youngstown-Pittsburgh Road. It will be used primarily for medical calls, said Chief David Comstock Jr.
The station receives about 600 medical calls annually, he said.
Before this, the department used a Jeep Cherokee and 1978 Dodge pickup truck with a small water tank attached to it for medical assistance and to combat small fires.
The squad unit, which holds 150 gallons of water, cost about $135,000, said Assistant Chief Tony Sferra.
“If you sat in the old car, you would feel pretty tight,” Sferra said. “This has got a lot more room, can carry five people and is more versatile.”
The department has been setting aside money for this purchase for five years, and it took so long because, during that time, funds were diverted for building repairs to Station 91 on South Main Street in Poland, Comstock said.
The district also recently purchased four FIT-5s. A FIT-5 is a 9-pound device that releases potassium carbonate aerosol to extinguish small fires and costs about $800.
“It works like a grenade and almost looks like a curling puck,” Comstock said.
Firefighters pull a cord and throw the FIT-5 into a contained fire — in a basement or attic for example — and the spray suppresses the combustion at a molecular level.
The fire district serves Poland village and township, has three stations and 70 volunteer firefighters. The Poland Firemen’s Association, a nonprofit organization made up of district firefighters, will have its annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Knights of Columbus on U.S. Route 224.