FOUR-PUMPER RECONSTRUCTION
APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT
Despite tight budgets, a massive team effort by fire fighters and local businesses to refurbish second-hand apparatus netted three northern Kentucky fire departments three pumpers and a heavy rescue vehicle. The entire project cost $131,000.
A classified ad in Fire Engineering had announced the sale of 1970-1971 fire trucks for $7000 each by the New York City Fire Department.
The Southern Campbell County Volunteer Fire Department purchased a 1970 lOOOgpm pumper; Wilder Volunteer Fire Department bought a 1971 lOOOgpm pumper; and Cold Spring-Crestview Volunteer Fire Department bought a 1970 and 1971 1000-gpm pumper, converting the latter into a heavy rescue vehicle.
It was decided to completely replace all four truck bodies from the pump panels back. Each department drew up a list of specifications for their particular needs. This was the most expensive phase of the reconstruction, costing an average of $14,000 for each body. Summitt Welding Company of Fort Mitchell, Ky., built the bodies.
The work of restoring cabs and chassis was shared by fire fighters and students at a local vocational school in Campbell County. Rust holes had to be repaired; floor plating and windows replaced; riot cabs removed; seats recovered; cabs rewired; and engines steam-cleaned and repaired. Tires were bought on a state contract to further save money.
Members of each department rebuilt all ball valves and made the necessary pump repairs. After the new bodies were installed, fire fighters removed the slag, did the sanding and priming, and wired the bodies for lighting. The Southern Campbell department painted their truck inhouse. Carlisle Construction Company painted the Wilder department’s truck at no cost other than materials. The Cold Spring-Crestview department contracted a firm to paint their vehicles.
and
Chrome, windows, lights and mirrors were mounted; trucks were tuned; all injectors and fuel lines were replaced; and fuel tanks were cleaned.
The Southern Campbell department installed power steering, a 500-gallon booster tank, two 1 1/2-inch and one 2 ½inch preconnected attack lines, and 1200 feet of 2 ½-inch supply line.
The Wilder department installed a 650-gallon booster tank, two 1 ½-inch and one 2 ½-inch preconnected attack lines and 1600 feet of 3-inch supply line.
The Cold Spring-Crestview department installed on its pumper a 600-gallon booster tank, one 1 ½-inch, one 1 3/4-inch and one 2 ½-inch preconnected attack lines and 1000 feet of 5-inch supply line. For the heavy rescue vehicle, the department installed power steering, changed the rear gears for higher speeds, mounted a 10-kw generator, and constructed a walk-through compartment area.
All vehicles came equipped with 1000gpm pumps, automatic transmissions and diese engines.
Each truck took about nine months and well over 2000 manhours of work.
