By Bob Vaccaro
In 1893, the hamlet of Bohemia was inundated with brush fires that swept through the area on a regular basis. In response, 13 individuals gathered and formed Bohemia Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The first fire truck was a Ramsey hand drawn hook and ladder truck purchased in 1893 for $375 and delivered by train from New York City.
In 1915, the first chemical fire truck was purchased. It had a tank filled with soda acid for small fires, but was horse drawn. In 1920, the first motorized vehicle was purchased with a 40-gallon soda acid tank mounted on a REO chassis. But this vehicle carried ladders, hooks, and axes. The name of the department was changed to the Bohemia Fire Department right after that.
While it is a far cry from today’s fire department, it showed even back then the Bohemia firefighters were proactive in purchasing fire apparatus for their community.
According to Chief of Department Scott Thompson, “Our fire district typically replaces apparatus on a 20-year basis. The decision is based on condition, maintenance issues, and, of course, the budget.
About two years ago, BFD formed a truck committee to start the design and spec writing process to replace its 2000 Pierce Lance engine. The department has been a regular Pierce customer for more than 30 years and wanted to stay with them for this build.
“Our fire district and department wanted to standardize with Pierce for the ease of operation, and familiarity of their product,” Thompson said. “It makes it a lot easier for our firefighters on the fireground. We were also happy to deal with Firematic as we have in the past. They always have our backs and provide us with great service after the sale.
“We went to bid for the purchase and were lucky to be able to choose Pierce again. This time around we went with the Impel Chassis. The lower engine tunnel which gives us the ability for our officers to be able to talk to the firefighters in the rear while responding and gives the driver better visibility.
The pumper was also designed with more compartment space. It is equipped with a full complement of eDRAULIC extrication tools, battery powered fans, saws, Milwaukee small saws, grinders, lights, and forcible entry tools.
Hose carried is a front bumper trash line of 100 feet of 1¾-inch; 2 crosslays of 1¾-inches (one with 200 feet, the other with 300 feet); 1,000 feet of 5-inch large diameter hose (LDH) for supply line; and 300 feet of 2½-inch deadlay with 200 feet of 1¾-inch on top.
“We also decided to not equip it with a generator since the 12-volt system on board was adequate to supply our scene lights and emergency vehicle lighting,” Thompson said.
The truck committee traveled to the Pierce plant in Appleton, Wisconsin for a final inspection where everything went well, according to Thompson.
The Bohemia Fire Department decided they wanted to continue to purchase their apparatus with a familiar company that they have dealt with so many times in the past. Pierce has traditionally given them great service and a great product to deal with. Its local dealer Firematic has also served them well with also great service after the sale.
Their new pumper had added features that they designed and will serve them well into the future.
Specs
- Impel Chassis, Medium Aluminum Cab, Top Mount Pump Panel
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 49,800 pounds
- Front Axle Oshkosh TAK-4 22,800 pounds; Rear Axle Dana 27,000 pounds
- Cummins L9 450-hp engine, Allision EVS 3000 transmission
- Jacobs Engine Brake
- Pierce Command Zone Electronics
- Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump
- 750-gallon Poly Tank
- HiViz Scene lighting
- Whelen Emergency Vehicle Lighting
