Williamstown Fire Dept Unveils Newest Pumper Truck

By Bonnie Obremski, North Adams TranscriptNorth Adams Transcript
Article Launched:12/23/2006 03:05:56 AM EST
Saturday, December 23WILLIAMSTOWN — Fire Chief Craig A. Pedercini unveiled his new lead pumper fire truck Thursday — a 2006 Sutphen custom model.
"We're looking forward to the new features," he said of the truck, which cost $397,735 after trading in a 1984 Pierce pumper truck for $5,000. "The hand lines are lower so firefighters can grab them a lot quicker and no one has to climb on top of the truck."
Pedercini beamed as he watched the firehouse doors lift above the new truck and the two older rigs beside it.



"They look like triplets," he said.
The trucks all have different capabilities but are designed to look alike as much as possible.
"The new one didn't come with a bell," Pedercini said. "So we put one on. It's kind of creating a tradition."
Unlike the other trucks, the new pumper has a remote-controlled "deck gun" device on the roof that can blast large quantities of water onto a structure fire for "surround and drown" extinguishing. After use, the machine retracts back into the truck with the touch of a button.
He said the department was "very happy with the previous apparatus," but trucks need to be replaced every 20 to 25 years.




"It used to be more like every 30 years, but they can deteriorate a little faster now with all the road salt," he said.
The Pownal (Vt.) Valley Fire Department contacted the Williamstown department, however, when the old truck was up for sale.
"They know we take good care of our trucks," Pedercini said.
The new truck should last at least 20 years or longer because of its stainless steel and aluminum construction.




The department waited two years to get the new truck, which was custom designed by the Sutphen East Corporation in Monticello, N.Y. The process began in 2004 when taxpayers voted to approve the purchase during the fire district's annual town meeting.
Pedercini lifted a side storage hatch in the former lead pumper, a 2001 model, to reveal drawers brimming with heavy equipment.
"We ran out of room," he said.



He then lifted the side door on the new truck and revealed polished wood paneling with new equipment neatly mounted on each board.
"Now we have extra space," Pedercini said.
With ergonomic designs and new technology, the new truck should allow firefighters to combat flames with greater speed, efficiency and safety, he said.