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East Farmington, CT receives its new rescue pumper

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East Farmington Fire Department, CT took delivery of it's new truck, a 2012 KME Predator Rear Mount Rescue Pumper.  It replaces a 1989 rig with mechanical issues.  The new truck will enable the department to be more efficient with time during an emergency because they will be able to access their equipment much faster.  It is the first rear mount pumper in Farmington.  For the full story from farmington.patch.com click here.

"There are a lot of technology updates. It's bigger and can hold more equipment," Czlapinski said. "And on the old engine, the equipment was on top; on the new one, it goes in side panels for faster on-scene time."

The new Engine 10 carries 750 gallons of water, while the old only held 500. And it carries 30 gallons of class “A” foam, and 30 gallons of class “B” foam, while the old only held class "B" foam. The foam is used to combat different types of fires, Czlapinski explained.

The truck's final cost was $628,513 and it was manufactured by KME in Pennsylvania.

Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.

Posted by on May 4, 2012 • Filed under: Apparatus, New Deliveries, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Norristown Fire Department, PA replaces 1989 pumper.

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Norristown Fire Department, PA is replacing an engine that was manufacturered in 1989.  The Hahn fire engine is being replaced with an engine being made by KME.  For the full story from The Times Herald click here.

When Norristown firefighter Chris Valerio pulled the engine out of the fire station for a photograph on Monday, it took several minutes for the air pressure in the brake system to build up and unlock the brake system.

“Spare parts are very hard to find. Some are no longer around at all,” O’Donnell said. “The 500-gallon water tank is leaking now and the body has rust. You typically get 20 years out of an engine. We have gotten 23 years out of this truck, and it is the oldest truck in the fleet.”

O’Donnell said that the engine had cost Norristown $20,658 for maintenance in 2010 and about $30,000 in 2011 and the first part of 2012.

Posted by on April 8, 2012 • Filed under: Apparatus, funding-apparatus, Uncategorized • Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

VIDEO: KME shows off Peoria, Illinios’ new heavy rescue

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In the video above, check out Peoria, Illinois' new 2011 Severe Service Walk Around Rescue from KME. 

Posted by on December 20, 2011 • Filed under: Apparatus, New Deliveries, videos • Tagged: , , , , ,

PA ladder truck doesn’t fit into station…and then it gets worse. Homeless ladder truck seeks station…

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Photo by Mike Staugaitis/NewsItem.com. Reprinted with permission.

Click here for more photos.

When a PA fire company ordered a brand new aerial ladder, getting the funds in place was only half the battle.

The companies historic old station can't house the new KME aerial without a new addition, and the nearby rescue squad graciously agreed to keep it for one year. Now the heavy truck is causing damage to their building and they want it out.

Throw in a "HOMELESS" sign posted on the truck at a community function, and you have the makings of an interesting story.

As reporter Justin Strawser with NewsItem.com writes, the ladder is doing more than just damaging the building:

The Anthracite truck is taking up valuable space inside the rescue squad building, leaving little space for two rescue squad vehicles. One of the rescue trucks is blocked by the other two, and the rescue squad only has quick access to its larger truck. This means there's more wear and tear and money spent on gas for the bigger truck when there doesn't need to be, Hixson said.

It also means there's barely enough room for members to change into their gear and enter the trucks.

Click here to read the entire story.

 

Posted by on August 2, 2011 • Filed under: Apparatus, Community, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, funding-apparatus, New Deliveries, news, vehicle-operations-apparatus • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 1 Roundup: KME Founder Dies | Incidents | Funding

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KME FOUNDER DIES AT 85

John “Sonny” Kovatch, who founded the Kovatch Organization and KME, died Saturday in New York. He was 85. Firehouse.com talked to those who worked with Sonny Kovatch here. More on the history of KME Kovatch can be found here. Service information is here.

INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS

APPARATUS HITS SCHOOL BUS: In Kansas City, icy roads are to blame after a fire truck slid into a school bus. The fire truck was responding to the scene after the bus slid into a pole. Two children were transported with minor injuries. KMBC’s full story is here.

ANTIQUE TRUCK INVOLVED IN HIT & RUN: In St. Paul, Minnesota, witnesses say an antique fire truck owned by a former member of the Vulcan Krewe hit a car and a retaining wall Saturday night before driving off. A restaurant owner tells MyFoxTwinCities he tried to get the driver to stop and exchange information, but the driver left. The driver tells police he thought he hit some ice and didn’t remember anyone asking him to stop. MyFoxTwinCities story is here and TwinCities.com’s story is here. More on the Vulcan Krewe and the 1932 “Luverne” referred to as the “Royal Chariot” is here.

FUNDING

  • Folsom Volunteer Fire Department of Wetzel County, West Virginia was awarded a $220,000 for a new fire truck. Click here for more.
  • Jamestown Rural Fire Protection District (California) will use grant money for a vacuum tanker. Find more here.
  • Now that the city and town of Verona, California, have agreed to a new tanker, the department expects to take delivery in September. The full story is here.
  • Rockport, Massachusetts, is taking bids for a new 100-foot aerial ladder truck. It will replace a 1954 American Lafrance 75-foot aerial ladder truck. Read more here.
  • A $265,000 federal grant will allow the Iroquois-Ford Counties Fire Protection District (Illinois) to replace its 38-year-old pumper. The full story is here.
    • Posted by on February 1, 2011 • Filed under: funding-apparatus, news, Vintage/Antique • Tagged: , , , , ,

    Dec. 24 Roundup: Funding & Deliveries

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    NEW DELIVERIES:

    First EPA 2010-Compliant Apparatus:  The Iola (Kansas) Fire Department took delivery of the first EPA 2010-compliant, Detroit Diesel DD13 -powered Velocity fire engine.  Detroit Diesel configured the engine to meet Pierce’s standards and also has selective catalytic reduction emissions technology.  Read more here.

    Blizzard Conditions:  14 days after leaving Montana, the Lingohocken (Pennsylvania) Fire Company‘s newest member arrived home.  The crew had to make many stops as a blizzard blasted the Midwest.  Last used by the Park County (Montana) Rural Fire District, the truck will need some work before going into service.  More about the truck’s purpose in Wrightstown Township can be found here.

    23-Years-Old Now Better Than New:  It left New Philadelphia, Ohio, as a 23-year-old aerial ladder truck. After spending a little time at KME Fire Apparatus, it’s returned as a 2009 KME Aerial Cat.  What’s new on it? What isn’t. It has a new chassis, cab, drivetrain, wiring, lighting,  and electronics.  The TimesReporter.com says the pump was rebuilt and the body sandblasted.  The cost of a new truck would’ve been $1.2 million, but the cost of this overhaul was $590,000.  Find out what else was done here.

    New Heights For One Canadian Municipality: Delta, British Columbia, welcomed a new truck with a 100-foot aerial platform.  The truck was supplied by Safetek Emergency Vehicles, the Canadian dealership of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. and SVI Trucks, and was built in Nebraska.  Read more here.

    FUNDING:

    Unreplaceable Radiator Hose Dooms Future Of 1979 Apparatus: The Jonesville, North Carolina, Town Council was forced to approve funding for a new truck after a new radiator hose couldn’t be found for it’s 30-year-old apparatus.  The ‘demo’ truck is expected to cost the town $273,000 and be delivered in mid-January.  More here on FireNews.net.

    “It’s Nothing Fancy, It’s Just What We Need” That’s what the Capt. Peter Griese told the Washington Township (New Jersey) told committee members about bids for a new pumper for the Long Valley Fire Department.  Three bids accepted earlier this year came in just under $425,000.  According to the Observer-Tribune, the pumper would need to have a stronger engine and transmission to get up Scho0ley’s Mountain.  It would carry 750 gallons of water, replacing the 500-gallon 1991 pumper.  Read Bob Thomas’ story about this truck and the need for an ambulance here.

    Posted by on December 24, 2010 • Filed under: funding-apparatus, New Deliveries • Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Jurisdictions Take Different Approaches To Replacing Older Apparatus

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    Refurbished or new? Two localities are making that decision.

    Shore News Today reports the Ventnor, NJ, City Commission voted to award KME/Kovatch the contract to refurbish two custom pumpers.  According to Ventnor City’s website, the department has a 1994 KME 1000 gpm Pumper at headquarters and a 1997 KME 1000 gpm pumper at Station #2.  More on the contract here and more on the department here.

    Meanwhile officials in Argentine Township, Michigan, are considering replacing two fire trucks with a brand new one. From the Tri-County Times:

    John Cross, chief engineer for the fire department, said the new vehicle would be equipped to draft water from any of the numerous lakes and ponds in the township. He said steep inclines to some bodies of water have caused issues for the older vehicles. The diesel International engine meets the 2010 emission standards and is considered “green.”

    Of the 4 bids received, the Tri-County Times says the Vehicle Selection Committee believes Precision Fire Apparatus‘ proposal best meets the township’s needs. Town officials meets again on December 20. Read more here.

    Posted by on December 2, 2010 • Filed under: New Deliveries, vehicle-operations-apparatus • Tagged: , , , , , ,