Pump Testing
Arrival at 1819hrs
Fire Company to Increase “Water on Wheels” Capacity
Delivery on Thursday June 17, 2009 ***** TANKER HAS ARRIVED
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The Upper Makefield Fire Company has recently contracted with 4-Guys, Inc., Meyersdale Pa. for a new tanker (water on wheels) apparatus. The new tanker will be built on a 2009 International commercial chassis, featuring a 1500 gallon per minute pump and a 3000 gallon water tank. Weighing approximately 60,000 pounds when fully loaded, the truck will provide seating for a Driver/Pump Operator and one Officer. Using the fire pump, the tanker will be able to supply an attack fire engine directly from its large water tank. Additionally, the new tanker will be used in more traditional water supply roles such as multi tanker shuttles or “dump and run”. Dispatched from Upper Makefield's Taylorsville Road Firehouse, the new water on wheels will be called Tanker 71.
The Upper Makefield Fire Company anticipates a mid summer delivery of the new Tanker 71. Mounting equipment, putting on locally supplied items along with training and qualifying driver/pump operators will occupy an additional few weeks before Tanker 71 sees full service.
The current Tanker 71 is a 1988 Freightliner based apparatus with a body and tank that was also manufactured by 4-Guys. During the past twenty years, the green and white Tanker 71 has won many county and state fire association awards for its presentation and equipment. Staffed by all volunteer firefighters, Tanker 71 has provided excellent service to Upper Makefield Township and its surrounding communities. The present tanker will not be sold, but will be relocated to the Eagle Road Firehouse at the Upper Makefield Township Municipal Complex where it will remain in first line service and be dispatched as Tanker 81 along with Engine 81.
A few limited areas in the 21 square miles of Upper Makefield Township are served by a municipal water source and therefore have pressurized hydrants for fire company use. In most cases, the local fire company must bring all the water they intend to use with them or access static water sources such as swimming pools, streams, etc. Unfortunately, it is incumbent on the fire companies to provide their own water in most situations because many recognized static sources of water are not reliable in a 24 hour/365 day basis. As the number and size of houses and other structures in the township has increased so has the need for more water at the fire scene. By adding another water on wheels apparatus to its fleet of dark green fire trucks, Upper Makefield Fire Company will be better able to meet the ever increasing 21st century demands for service to our residents.
(Click below for the plans and pictures during construction.)
| Tanker 71 Blueprint Plans | |
| *******March 2009******* | |
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| Chassis | Chassis |
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| Interior | Interior |
| *******May 2009******* | |
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| The Tank | The Cabinets and Tank Support |
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| Left Side | Left Side Pump Panel |
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| Right Side | Right Side Pump Panel |
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| Rear of Tanker | |
| *******June
2009******* Pump Testing |
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| Left Side Rear | Rear of Tanker |
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| Right Side Rear | Right Side |
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| Right Side Front | Left Side Front |
| *******June
18, 2009******* Arrival at 1819hrs |
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