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On Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 1533 Hrs. Tanker 614-4 was involved in a
roll-over accident along Fallen Timber Road in Shade Township, while responding
on a Brush Fire. The driver and one firefighter were the only occupants of the
vehicle, but neither was seriously injured. The Tanker, a 1994 Model Mack
sustained major damage, and was later declared a "total loss" by our Insurance
Carrier. After receiving payment from the Insurance Company, the fire department
began looking at options on replacing the Tanker/Pumper. It was determined that
to put that same type Tanker/Pumper back into service it would cost
approximately $325,000 to $350,000. We had received $250,000 from our Insurance
Company, but to make-up the difference we would have to borrow at least $75,000.
On December 17, 2008 the totaled unit was found on a "Salvaged Truck Auction"
page on the internet with the sale date being Jan. 8, 2009. After placing a bid
through a local licensed dealer, we won the auction and purchased the entire
truck for $7,350. The truck was returned to Somerset on Jan. 12, 2009 and then
taken to 4 Guys Fire Trucks in Meyersdale to have everything removed from
the chassis. On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, the chassis was sent to WW Engines in
Somerset to have a new Cab installed. Once the new Cab is installed, the chassis
will be returned to 4 Guys Fire Trucks for the installation of a new 2,600
Gallon Tank and body, along with the servicing of the existing pump. The total
cost of this project will be approximately $200,000, thus saving the fire
department $100,000 - $150,000. The entire reconstruction project should be
completed by May 31, 2009 and Tanker 614-4 placed back into service.
We would like to say "Thank You" to the Sipesville Vol. Fire Dept. for
immediately offering their 2nd Tanker to us for use while Tanker 614-4 is out of
service.
We would also like to say "Thank You" to Todd and Ed Berkey of Berkey Auto in
Hooversville for placing the bids on the Internet Auction to purchase back
Tanker 614-4. Without you time and patience, we could have never started this
project!
The Hooversville Vol. Fire Dept would like to thank Randy and his Garage Staff
at WW Engines in Somerset (Mack Truck Garage) for their fine work and full
cooperation in this project. The Chassis reconstruction project was completed on
March 26, 2009 by WW Engines in Somerset, PA, and then driven to 4 Guy Fire
Trucks in Meyersdale, PA for the installation of the new Tank and the
competition of the project.
The Tanker Reconstruction Project was complete on June 11, 2009, and we took
delivery of the Tanker on June 13, 2009. Tanker 614-4 was placed back in service
on July 20, 2009.
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