EAST HAVEN, Conn. -- It was 24 and a half years ago that Carmine Riccitelli answered his first call as a career firefighter on what is now retired Engine 6.
The engine now sits behind the firehouse with other retired or broken vehicles, so Riccitell is now overseeing and helping to coordinate the donation of that engine to a town in need of it in Ecuador.
Riccitelli said the town in Ecuador is a very rural, indigenous, hilly area. Parts of it are city-like, but the truck will be located away from where the main fire station is located.
"There's a central fire station, but there's no rural fire protection in outlying communities, and there was a need because they didn't have the money or resources to purchase a vehicle. So we were lucky enough that this vehicle, which was taken out of service in November is going to be sent down there and they are going to put it in the rural area to put some fire protection in the poorer communities in the Otavalo region of Ecuador," Riccitelli said.
The town council approved donating the vehicle earlier this week.
Fire Chief Douglas Jackson and Assistant Chief Charles Licata said the fire truck no longer complies with current safety regulations. The truck would not have been used to fight fires had it been sold or given elsewhere, Licata said.
The truck served as Engine 1 and Engine 4 for career firefighters, and has also been used by volunteer firefighters up until November.
"In my opinion, the vehicle is of no value to the EHFD currently as the risk utilization outweighs the benefit for the above reasons as well as the rising costs and time required to chase down parts that no other segment of the trucking industry still has in service," Jackson wrote in a letter.
Riccitelli has traveled to countries including Ecuador to help on projects like building schools and water purification. He is coordinating to have the truck sent there with Bonnie Lunt, who is a member of the organization People Helping People.
Riccitelli said he saw the need and the opportunity to help out, which is why he contacted his chief about donating the truck. The 32-year-old engine will be be weighed and then sent to Ecuador, at no cost to the town or firehouse. Continued...
Jackson said it's a "good feeling" to donate something and see it put to good use in a community that is in need of it.
"Our mission as firefighters and as a fire department is to save lives and protect people, and this is an extension of that," Jackson said. "We wrung everything out of this truck, and this is huge for them. I hope they never have to us it, but I'm sure they need it."
Copyright 2012 - New Haven Register, Conn.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
