Cost-Effective Alternative For Apparatus Replacement
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Past Chief East Bethlehem Township Fire Dept. Fredericktown, Pa.
When apparatus requires replacement, what alternatives do we have?
Do we buy a new unit as the easiest way out, buy a used unit (someone else’s problems) or dump costly dollars into repowering and refurbishing the present unit? On the other hand, do we need to keep the present number of vehicles, or can we possibly eliminate a vehicle, and some expense?
This was the dilemma the East Bethlehem Township, Pa., Fire Department faced when it needed both a new second-out engine and a new rescue unit. The money simply wasn’t there for both, yet both were priorities. What does one do?
Engine 153, a combination light pumper and heavy rescue unit, was slowly outliving its usefulness. Plans had to be developed. Engine 153, a 1957 Chevrolet/Gerstenslager unit, had a 400-gpm pump and carried 200 gallons of water plus rescue equipment, facilities to transport manpower and ability to haul our marine unit. We therefore set an objective to eliminate this vehicle while maintaining operating efficiency.
Facts lead to solution
A new engine was being designed to replace Tanker 154 and be a second-out engine, so a pump would no longer be necessary on a rescue unit. At the same time, Utility 155, a four-wheel drive unit used as a miscellaneous errand vehicle, was responding to calls as a last out “catch-all” piece.
All the while, additional gasoline, insurance, and maintenance expenses were skyrocketing. It was at this point that the cost effective solution (see table I) came to mind:
Sell Engine 153. Sell the body of Utility 155 and replace it with an enclosed utility body with six storage compartments.
Income generated paid for new unit and some additional equipment.
Needs fulfilled
The objective became a reality with the arrival of a renovated Rescue 155. The former utility vehicle was now an effective, efficient piece of equipment that met five areas of need:
- Reliable transportation of air equipment (including a cascade system), brush fire fighting equipment, and emergency medical equipment.
- Dependable personnel carrier.
- Off-road and severe weather operating ability (four-wheel drive).
- Ability to transport the marine unit.
- General utility capabilities.
Therefore, by selling Engine 153 and replacing it with a renovated Rescue 155, our department reduced operating costs, improved efficiency, provided additional station space and enhanced overall department capabilities, all through some simple planning with the future and expenses in mind.
