Jasmine Lewin
The Daily Astorian, Ore.
(TNS)
The Elsie-Vinemaple Rural Fire Protection District has received a fire engine that will enable firefighters to battle wildland fires in addition to structure fires.
The wildland urban interface engine, which was recently retired from the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, was purchased by a donor.
Fire apparatus
A donor gifted “Mama Ang,” a fire engine, to the Elsie fire district.
The unit is equipped with increased water and pump capacity, making it possible for firefighters to tackle larger brush fires as Oregon’s record-breaking wildfire season continues.
“It’s going to be our first out brush fire response unit, but it will also be our first out fire engine during inclement weather in the winter time,” Fire Chief Rob Davis said. “With its four-wheel drive, it’s going to give us increased mobility in poor weather conditions, especially when we’re responding to motor vehicle accidents like along Highway 26 in bad weather.
“So during the wintertime, it’ll have all of our auto extrication equipment on it so that we can better respond when we have snow and ice in the ground.”
The engine, painted bright yellow, has been dubbed “Mama Ang” after the donor who gifted the unit to the fire district. It has replaced a 1994 Ford unit that Davis said was no longer serviceable.
“We’re just really grateful for such a donation to be able to upgrade our fleet and get us something that’s in better condition than what we had,” he said.
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A friend of the Elsie-Vinemaple Rural Fire Protection District recently donated a Wildland Urban Interface Engine, a Type III fire apparatus, the department said on its Web site.
“Today is a BIG DAY for Elsie Vinemaple RFPD,” the department said. “Just over a week ago a discussion started with a friend of the fire service. That conversation turned to our needs, and ended with a donation that a ‘thank you’ just isn’t big enough to even begin to show our appreciation.”
The Wildland Urban Interface Engine was recently retired from Northern Sonoma County Fire District. The engine is in excellent condition and has just over 16,000 miles on it. Featuring an International four-wheel drive chassis, the ability to carry 500 gallons of water and a pump capacity of 500 gallons per minute, an apparatus like this can be used for wildland fires as well as structure fires. With its 4×4 capability the department can increase its mobility in severe weather, and can drive in high water.
The department will take the next few weeks outfitting the unit with equipment and completing driver training. Once ready to go in service this heavy brush engine will rotate between Station 1 in the summer and Station 2 in the winter.
“In a tribute to a massive donation the Heavy Brush will be nicknamed ‘Mama Ang’ in recognition of Angela R., who purchased this unit and donated it to Elsie-Vinemaple RFPD to better serve our community,” the department said.
“Angela, from all of us, THANK YOU may never be enough, but your gracious support of the fire service has touched so many and will for years to come. From all of us at Elsie Fire, thank you for being our friend and our supporter!”
