Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 volunteers take a moment to memorialize the delivery of the new rescue truck with the Burton brothers at regular training Thursday, February 15.
On Thursday Feb. 15, John Burton of Burton Fire Apparatus (Modesto CA) delivered a new light rescue truck ordered by Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 to the Sierraville Fire Department. Specifications for the truck were assembled by District Chief Jeff McCollum, and Sierraville Fire Department Chief Dan Wentling. Three competitive bids were evaluated before a contract was awarded to Burton Fire to purchase this truck built by Rosenbaurer in Lyons South Dakota.
The rescue truck is financed by a $50,100 grant and $51,300 low interest loan from the USDA Rural Assistance Program, local mitigation funds, and a $35,000 contribution from proceeds of the “Tour de Manure” bike event sponsored by the Sierraville Fire Department. The grant/loan package was negotiated by Fire Commissioner Rick Maddalena in full cooperation with USDA Representative Michael Velez. “I doubt we would have been successful in this endeavor without Michael’s personal attention and ‘we can make this happen attitude,’” stated Maddalena.
“The light rescue truck will be dedicated on June 16, 2018 at the 10th anniversary of the Tour de Manure,” said Chief Wentling. The truck will be “branded” with the bike ride event’s logo to help celebrate the event and its contribution to supporting the finance needs of the Sierraville and Sattley Fire Departments.
The Rosenbaurer buildup is mounted on a new 2017 Ford F550 chasse, 4x4 diesel, crew cab manufactured with an “ambulance package” featuring warning lights, serene, and high capacity electrical system to support the work lights and equipment in the box. The box was designed to facilitate medical calls, vehicle accident extractions, and to a limited degree building collapse. It will replace the very tired 1994 F-350 which has been a workhorse of the SCFPD #1 fleet.
“Although our primary mission is Structure Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Response has been our primary source of calls for service in recent years. A large share of our calls involve vehicle or motorcycle accidents on Hwy 89 or Hwy 49 which means we are pushing the tired gas powered truck hard up a steep highway heavily laden with rescue equipment,” said Chief McCollum.
Truck delivery was made by John Burton and follows a final truck inspection in Modesto by Chief McCollum, USDA representative Michael Velez, and two additional volunteers from Sierraville in late January. Burton’s service includes a complete orientation to the truck and its operating systems. “Before we let the old rescue truck go, we hope to find a suitable 4x4 diesel chassis to mount under the service box. If we can do that, we will have parleyed the investment by recycling a great box. That equipment would be stationed in Calpine to reinforce our District response capability,” said McCollum.
“The entire community is invited to the “branding” on June 16th at the 10th Tour de Manure Ride” said Doug Read, creator of the funds raising event. There will be great live music by Mike Hogan and the Simpletones, and fantastic BBQ by Lee Wright proprietor of When Pigs Fly. - Story and photo by SCFPD#1
On Thursday Feb. 15, John Burton of Burton Fire Apparatus (Modesto CA) delivered a new light rescue truck ordered by Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 to the Sierraville Fire Department. Specifications for the truck were assembled by District Chief Jeff McCollum, and Sierraville Fire Department Chief Dan Wentling. Three competitive bids were evaluated before a contract was awarded to Burton Fire to purchase this truck built by Rosenbaurer in Lyons South Dakota.
The rescue truck is financed by a $50,100 grant and $51,300 low interest loan from the USDA Rural Assistance Program, local mitigation funds, and a $35,000 contribution from proceeds of the “Tour de Manure” bike event sponsored by the Sierraville Fire Department. The grant/loan package was negotiated by Fire Commissioner Rick Maddalena in full cooperation with USDA Representative Michael Velez. “I doubt we would have been successful in this endeavor without Michael’s personal attention and ‘we can make this happen attitude,’” stated Maddalena.
“The light rescue truck will be dedicated on June 16, 2018 at the 10th anniversary of the Tour de Manure,” said Chief Wentling. The truck will be “branded” with the bike ride event’s logo to help celebrate the event and its contribution to supporting the finance needs of the Sierraville and Sattley Fire Departments.
The Rosenbaurer buildup is mounted on a new 2017 Ford F550 chasse, 4x4 diesel, crew cab manufactured with an “ambulance package” featuring warning lights, serene, and high capacity electrical system to support the work lights and equipment in the box. The box was designed to facilitate medical calls, vehicle accident extractions, and to a limited degree building collapse. It will replace the very tired 1994 F-350 which has been a workhorse of the SCFPD #1 fleet.
“Although our primary mission is Structure Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Response has been our primary source of calls for service in recent years. A large share of our calls involve vehicle or motorcycle accidents on Hwy 89 or Hwy 49 which means we are pushing the tired gas powered truck hard up a steep highway heavily laden with rescue equipment,” said Chief McCollum.
Truck delivery was made by John Burton and follows a final truck inspection in Modesto by Chief McCollum, USDA representative Michael Velez, and two additional volunteers from Sierraville in late January. Burton’s service includes a complete orientation to the truck and its operating systems. “Before we let the old rescue truck go, we hope to find a suitable 4x4 diesel chassis to mount under the service box. If we can do that, we will have parleyed the investment by recycling a great box. That equipment would be stationed in Calpine to reinforce our District response capability,” said McCollum.
“The entire community is invited to the “branding” on June 16th at the 10th Tour de Manure Ride” said Doug Read, creator of the funds raising event. There will be great live music by Mike Hogan and the Simpletones, and fantastic BBQ by Lee Wright proprietor of When Pigs Fly. - Story and photo by SCFPD#1
