Galesburg-Charleston firefighters return to the City of Galesburg in the new pumper fire truck on September 5 after picking up the new pumper from Luverne, Minnesota.
By Bruce Rolfe
Galesburg-Charleston Township firefighters and the public got an up close look at a new pumper that was purchased recently when a crew of firefighters returned home with the new rig September 5 after picking up the pumper in Luverne, Minnesota where it was built by Midwest Fire.
The new fire truck drew praise from municipal leaders and firefighters after they took a look at the new pumper and learned about its capabilities.
“We’ll protect our people. That’s what it’s all about. There’s nothing more important when you dial 9-1-1 and they (firefighters) know they have a job to do. There’s a lot of stress,” said Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest.
City of Galesburg Mayor Linda Marble feels public safety is important for citizens and was very pleased the local fire department now has an up to date apparatus to serve the citizens.
“The Galesburg-Charleston Fire Department is so important to the City of Galesburg and the surrounding area. Everyone loves this fire department. We have great volunteers,” said the mayor.
Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg said the new pumper will be replacing the old ladder truck because the department couldn’t justify the cost of purchasing a new ladder truck. The new pumper has some of the same features the old ladder truck has as well as the ability to carry more water.
Roomsberg said the new pumper will seat five firefighters and carries 1800 gallons of water, more then double what the ladder truck can carry.
A view of the right side of the new pumper.
“Sometimes you get reduced staffing. So, if you get that truck there, it can fight a lot of fire before neighboring departments get there. That’s probably the big thing, is we went from 750 gallons on the ladder truck to 1800. And it’s on a single axle. We weren’t sure we could do that, but they told us it was feasible, so that’s what we’ve done,” said Roomsberg.
The new rig will pump 1500 gallons of water per minute, the same as the old ladder truck.
The new pumper is a 2027 Freightliner 114 Super Duty chassis that measurers 33’ 11” feet long.
“The truck is amazing. It’s got power. It’s got everything we need and it will last a long time. It’s a poly body (polypropylene truck/utility body) on it. It’s a lifetime guarantee. It’s a beautiful piece of equipment,” said Roomsberg, who said the body, not the cab, is bulletproof.
Firefighters take a look at the pump panel on the new pumper.
Firefighters were excited about the new pumper’s capabilities and how it will help citizens.
“For the firefighters that are driving this truck, being able to get in the truck and have it mitigated and start properly, there’s not a ton of buttons. There’s not a ton of options. There’s a lot of features to it, but it’s easy to get in, start up, and drive down the road. It’s easy for the young firefighter that’s just getting involved to the one that’s been here for 45 years to get in it, start it and drive it down the road. The turning radius is amazing. The wheelbase is not very long, which is nice,” said Galesburg-Charleston Township firefighter Randy Rice.
He adds the pump panel is easy to use and very easy to work with, which should speed up the training process.
Rice said firefighters worked together to determine where they wanted certain pieces of equipment located on the new pumper “so it wasn’t just one person designing it, it was all of us and that’s for the community.”
Roomsberg said the original quote from Midwest Fire was just over $539,000. However with some concessions Midwest Fire made on tariff costs on the chassis and some other minor changes the new rig was purchased for $498,555
Voters in both Charleston Township and the City of Galesburg passed millages allowing both units of government to put money aside for the new fire truck purchase. The fire department has saved money as well, putting the municipalities in the position to pay for the new rig without a loan.
Roomsberg said with new mounting that may be needed and a period of time transferring equipment to the new truck, he hopes to have the new pumper in service within a month.
Roomsberg said the old ladder truck could be sold on consignment.
The new rig will be truck number 1011 on the Galesburg-Charleston Township fleet.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
