On Saturday, Oct. 29, the moment finally arrived when the pristine black and crimson Quint Tower pulled onto the apron of the Halifax Fire Department.
With the bay doors open the engine was turned around to face busy route 106 where residents and passersby honked and waved as they drove by. Many families stopped in to try out the seat, hold the steering wheel and take selfies in the back of the cab.
The 2016 Rosenbauer Quint Tower was bought with a FEMA Grant ‘Assistance to Firefighters’ for $714,200.
The state of the art tower can hold 500 gallons of water has 1000 feet of large diameter hose, pumps 1500 gallons per minute and the aerial deck gun can be operated remotely from the ground, according to Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros.
In the instance of limited manpower, the aerial can be operated without having someone in the bucket, he said.
The grant was received in July 2015 and the awarded bid went to Rosenbauer where the quint was manufactured and constructed at one of their plants in South Dakota. It was then driven to Nebraska and then to Attleboro.
The 55,300 pound body of aluminum and galvanized steel ladder and frame was driven to Nebraska for a UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) inspection, an independent company to properly accredit and certify that the engine was made as specified.
It then was moved for the last of its testing to check the fluids in Attleboro where it received a last once-over and tune up and complete detailing.
Viveiros and LT. Billy Palma had taken two trips to the plant in South Dakota to check on the progress of the tower as it was being constructed and were able to address some issues that were corrected before it was shipped. In keeping with the colors of the existing fleet Halifax has had black over red starting around 2001, Viveiros told the Express.
The graphics and hues harmonize with the existing fleet.
Five firefighters can travel in the cab of the truck, two in the front and three in the back jump seats.
The technology in comparison with the old ladder from 1989 is tremendous. The old engine will now go up for bid and no longer meets today’s safety standards. It can never be used as a working fire apparatus again.
“It didn’t have a pump and didn’t carry water it took approximately eight to ten minutes to set up. The new tower is set up in two minutes, “ Viveiros said.
This week, staff will be transferring the equipment; new radios were installed, and an outside company will begin training us, said Viveiros.
“Everyone in town has been really happy – seeing a shiny, new fire truck. We have received a lot of positive feedback. People have been stopping in and looking it over, he said.
All three selectman welcomed the truck on Saturday.
“We are extremely happy,” he said.
There is a sealed bid starting at $100 for the old engine until Nov. 14 said Chief Viveiros. . For more information contact the selectman’s office.