The Acushnet Fire Department is asking Town Meeting for $475,000 to replace this 37-year-old tanker truck, which has instruments and pumps in the front, a design not often seen on newer vehicles, which have the instruments “midship,” or in the middle. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
They only last so long as reliable vehicles. That’s the message that Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland wants to get across to Town Meeting this year.
The Fire Department is asking for $475,000 to replace the 1986 tanker truck. It holds 1800 gallons of water and is used regularly.
But, it should not be “relied on as an emergency vehicle,” said Chief Farland.
It’s time, he said for it to be thought about for “antique use.”
Tanker trucks are important in Acushnet, because so much of the town does not have hydrants.
All the fire trucks hold some water, 1,000 gallons. That gets the firefighting started. But at some point, they run out, and have to leave to fill up. Although, Chief Farland said that if all the trucks are on scene, including the tanker truck, there is enough water to knock down most fires, about 5,000 gallons.
The new tanker will hold 3,000 gallons and will be able to dispense 1,000 gallons per minute. Usually, though, they do not spray at full capacity. They’d be out of water in minutes.
The Acushnet Fire Department is asking Town Meeting for $475,000 to replace this 37-year-old tanker truck, which has instruments and pumps in the front, a design not often seen on newer vehicles, which have the instruments “midship,” or in the middle. Photo by Beth David.
The old tanker is also getting more expensive to fix as parts are getting harder to find.
“The new tanker will be up to current standards and codes,” said Chief Farland, and it will have a ladder, so it will be “multi-use.”
It is not good to let any machine just sit, of course, we all know that. So the old tanker is used as often as possible. But the chief worries that it is just not as reliable as an emergency vehicle should be.
The article asks for $475,000 from free cash reserves.
Chief Farland said he hopes the community will understand how important the apparatus is.
“We’re just trying to get some awareness of what we have and why we are looking to make the request,” he said.
Acushnet Town Meeting is on May 22 at the Ford Middle School. Acushnet has an open town meeting, which means all registered voters are allowed to go and vote on articles. To find out more, including how to get TM materials ahead of time, contact the Town Clerk’s office in the Parting Ways Building, 130 Main Street; 508-998-0200.
The Acushnet Fire Department is asking Town Meeting for $475,000 to replace this 37-year-old tanker truck, which has instruments and pumps in the front, a design not often seen on newer vehicles, which have the instruments “midship,” or in the middle. Photo by Beth David.
The Acushnet Fire Department is asking Town Meeting for $475,000 to replace this 37-year-old tanker truck, which has instruments and pumps in the front, a design not often seen on newer vehicles, which have the instruments “midship,” or in the middle. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here for this week’s issue: 03-16-23 Hoppys
Click here for Wayne Hayward’s letter to the SB: WayneHayward_TreePolicyComment
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