Pa. Dept. Gets Aerial to Replace One Destroyed by Fire

March 14, 2014
A 1997 75-foot quint will soon be in service with the Washington Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 to replace one that burned last year.

March 14--MAHANOY CITY -- The Washington Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 will soon get an aerial truck to replace the truck destroyed by fire last year.

At its Tuesday meeting, the Mahanoy City Borough Council approved, in a 6-0 vote, the payment of $225,000 from fire insurance proceeds to purchase a 1997 Emergency One Custom 75-foot Quint from the Southampton Fire Company No. 1, Southampton, Bucks County.

The Aug. 24 early morning fire destroyed the fire company's 1993 Simon Duplex Quint 75-foot aerial truck, 35 E. Mahanoy St. and the building's contents. The fire occurred on the morning of the borough's 150th anniversary celebration and the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention.

According to the Southampton Fire website, the aerial truck can seat seven firefighters and can serve as an engine if needed.

In a related matter, the borough council also unanimously approved a refurbishment contract with Fire Line Equipment, East Earl, to refurbish and outfit the aerial truck at a cost of $132,485.43. The cost will also be paid out of the fire insurance proceeds that have been made in four installments, with the first due as soon as possible.

Prior to the meeting, fire company Assistant Chief Michael Matunis spoke to the news media about what has transpired since the devastating blaze.

"Since then, there has been progress in finding a replacement truck, and we've worked with our insurance companies to replace a lot of our equipment already, and we're in the process of looking at a building," Matunis said.

Matunis said fire company officials and borough council members met Monday evening to discuss the potential truck purchase and some miscommunication between the two entities on fire insurance proceeds. Since the fire company owns the building, it secures its own insurance. The borough pays the insurance premiums on fire vehicles.

As for the fire station, Matunis said some work will be done on the building when the weather becomes warmer.

"We're going to fix the building up a little bit, but I don't think it will ever return to be an active fire station," Matunis said, adding that the building could be sold or used for storage for the fire department.

Matunis said the fire company has about 100 members, with about 11 to 15 active members. The fire company was chartered in 1866 and is the third fire company in Mahanoy City, which has five fire companies.

As for the refurbishment, Matunis said the truck will go to Fire Line to be updated to 2014 standards and is expected to be ready in June.

"The truck will be totally gone over. All the warning lights will be upgraded to the new style LED lighting," Matunis said. "The pump, the aerial and the rest of the truck will be completely serviced and tested. There will be some changes to the mechanics of the truck. There will be new valves added and more safety features for our firefighters. Basically, we're bringing it up to what a current truck would be."

Matunis said that the fire company still responds to fire calls, using a fire truck loaned from the Scott Township Fire Department.

"I'll be very happy when we have the replacement truck, and I thank Scott Township for the use of their truck," Matunis said.

Matunis also briefly discussed that there have been talks with the West End Fire and Rescue Company No. 5 about a possible merger. He said even if a merger would happen, it would be two to three years away.

Matunis said there is a possibility that a new fire truck bay and office might be added to the West End building for the Washington company, but there are only discussions at this point and nothing has been agreed upon.

Copyright 2014 - Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.

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