West of New Bern volunteer firemen get new fire engine

April 23--CLARKS -- West of New Bern Volunteer firemen gathered at their substation in the Craven Industrial Park Saturday to try out their newest piece of equipment -- a $400,000 fire engine that replaces a 45-year-old engine that is now technically an antique.

Fire Chief Justin Sawyer said the new engine gives the 45-man department expanded fire-fighting capabilities and it will go toward the department's continued efforts to improve on its fire rating, which in turn will help lower fire insurance rates for residents in the fire district.

"It means we are moving into the future and out of the old mindset of just get the truck there and get the fire out," he said. "We're training young guys to be better firefighters."

The engine was undergoing a battery of checks by department members Saturday and Sawyer said some additional equipment would still be arriving before it goes into service in about two weeks.

He said it is an invaluable new training tool, with capabilities that include 1,500 gallons-per-minute pumping pressure. The engine it replaces had half of the gallons-per-minute pumping capability.

West of New Bern Fire President Doug Ferguson said it also has the ability to "roll and pump" at the same time. The ability to continue pumping water can be critical when firemen need to maneuver with spreading flames or with wind changes.

He said the engine also has a superior turning radius compared to the 1970 front-end pumper it replaces.

"This truck can turn in places others can't," he said. "Getting in (a fire area) is the easy part. Getting out can be the problem."

He said the fire engine, built in Wisconsin, also has easy maintenance qualities, including a lift--up cab for easy access to fix any pump problems. He said that with some others, part of the body has to be taken off to get to the pumper.

Ferguson said the department fire engines normally have a life span of about 30 years. The 45-year-old pumper that is being retired will be put up for sale.

"One thing we are proud of is that we did not rush into buying this truck," Ferguson said. "This has been about a two-and-a-half-year process. We have raised money over that period to help pay this truck down and to purchase new equipment."

A major source of the income to pay for such a new piece of equipment is the local district fire tax.

The new engine can handle a six-man crew. The department has six engines, two equipment trucks, a brush truck and a utility truck that can carry traffic control equipment.

- West of New Bern's main station is on Chelsea Road in Trent Woods, with substations in Clarks and Washington Post Road.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or 252-259-7585, Charlie.hall@newbernsj.com , on Twitter @CharlieHallNBSJ

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