AUSTIN -Austin Volunteer Fire Department firefighters and members of the community turned out to greet their new 2013 Ford F550 four-door 4x4 heavy duty fire truck that was delivered to the fire department on June 21.
It is a first response interface truck with fire and rescue capabilities, said fire Chief Roger James. Whatever the situation may be this truck will be able to handle it, James added.
The fire department received a grant of $235,000 from Lander County to purchase the new truck. It was built and outfitted for $232,699 by Blanchat Mfg., Inc., out of Harper, Kan. Greg Blanchat, owner of the company, delivered the truck himself, James said.
Around 25 members of the community came out to see the new truck when it arrived at the firehouse and it will be on display at Bert T. Gandolfo Park during Austin's Fourth of July celebration.
"We're greatly excited about the new truck," James said. "It has the capabilities of fighting fires whether they are wildland or structure fires or for vehicle rescues. The Austin Volunteer Fire Department is excited and proud to have the B-27 Minuteman Fire Apparatus and Rescue Truck added to their fire department. "
"The Minuteman is one of the most functional trucks for a fire department," it states on the Blanchat Mfg., Inc., website. "It is designed to meet the initial response needs for rescue and extrication, medical emergencies, wildland and structural fire attack. It is versatile with its ability to change functions at a moment's notice."
In addition to all of the firefighting gear, the truck is fully equipped with the Jaws of Life, a rescue cutter, a rescue spread, a rescue ram and all kinds of tools and supplies for extricating people from crashed vehicles, James said.
The truck also has an air compressor to run air tools such as cutters and grinders and it also came with a Cummins 7-kw generator to run electrical tools. It has scene lights and a hale 2.0 foam injection system.
It also has a 12,000 pound winch for lifting and stabilizing.
The truck has a 300-gallon water supply with a 2.5-inch rear discharge line, a 1.5-inch front discharge line with a 150-foot hose and a 1-inch hose reel with 100 feet of hose, James said.
The truck will be replacing two old and worn out fire department vehicles, a type one pumper truck and a type four brush truck, James said. The department will now have a total of three vehicles.
Blachat, who specializes in building fire apparatus to meet fire department needs and requirements, has been in the manufacturing business since 1978. He has been a firefighter for the Harper Fire Department for 29 years. He also serves on the National Fire Protection Association Advisory Board.
Blanchal Mfg., Inc., can be found online at www.blanchatmfg.com.
"Blanchat Mfg., Inc.'s main priority is to supply safer means in order to accomplish a hazardous task," states Blanchat on his website. "Our equipment is reliable, user friendly and ready to perform in the most extreme situations. My ultimate goal is to never stop helping protect my brother firefighters from harm while in the line of duty. This is why my company lives by the motto - 'No matter what, there is always a better way.'"
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