By Bob Vaccaro
The Eastport Fire Department is located on the south shore of eastern Suffolk County, New York, on Long Island. The fire department serves the communities of Eastport, Speonk, and Remsenberg. The area has a combined population of 4,473 and a land area of 9.1 square miles.
Even though the fire department covers a small population and land area, the fire district is proactive in designing fire apparatus for its needs and response area.
Ex-Chief and current Commissioner Paul Massey was instrumental in the acquisition of two new Pierce Enforcer pumpers for Eastport’s response area. “We began the process of replacing our 2008 twin Pierce Velocity engines about two years ago. We wanted to upgrade to the Enforcer cab and chassis. Our committee felt that the layout of the cab served us better and was also 6-inches smaller, making it more maneuverable around our area, even though we also designed them to be top mount pumpers.
“Since we had operated Pierce fire apparatus in the past and were happy with their operation and service with Firematic, their local dealer in the past, it was easy for us to go ahead with another apparatus purchase with them. For the contract we went with the Sourcewell Consortium which made it quicker and easier to chose Pierce once again.”
The department went with rescue bodies on both pumpers, which made equipment layout easier and allowed more room now and for the foreseeable future.
Hose carried was also a concern. The department carries 1,000 feet of 5-inch hose, 300 feet of 3-inch hose, 2 crosslays of 1¾-inch attack lines, 100 feet of 1¾-inch trash line, and 200 feet of 3-inch preconnect to a Blitzfire nozzle.
The department went with all electric fans and saws as well as a HURST eDRAULIC rescue system on one of the pumpers for needed extrication work.
Also added was the Pierce Husky Foam system with one engine carrying Class A and the other with Class B foam.
“This time around we didn’t spec out a generator,” Massey said. “We have 12-volt systems on both engines that is more than adequate for our emergency and scene lighting. The newer LED lighting draws very little power for both.
The apparatus committee traveled to the Pierce factory in Appleton, Wisconsin for final inspection. Firematic President Peter Hanratty answered all of the committee’s questions during the build and service after the sale, and the mounting of all of the equipment that took place at their shop.
The committee is now working on replacing its 2001 ALF heavy rescue.
With proper planning up front, this small progressive fire department received two twin pumpers loaded with the equipment they wanted and mounted in a functional way for their firefighters to operate.
Service after the sale was also important to them. By dealing with Firematic they accomplished both goals and have two pieces of highly functional apparatus for their future needs.
Specs
- Pierce Enforcer cab and chassis
- Wheelbase 214-inches
- Gross vehicle weight (GVW) 46,500 pounds
- Front Axle, TAK-4, 19,500 pounds
- Rear Axle, Dana 27,000 pounds
- Cummins L9 450-hp, Allison EVS 3000 Automatic
- Jacobs engine brake
- Waterous CSU Single Stage 1,500-gpm pump
- 1,000-gallon Poly Tank
- Pierce Husky Foam System 20-gallon poly tank, Class A and B
- HiViz Headlights and scene lights
- Whelen Emergency Vehicle lighting package
BOB VACCARO has more than 40 years of fire service experience. He is a former chief of the Deer Park (NY) Fire Department. Vaccaro has also worked for the Insurance Services Office, the New York Fire Patrol, and several major commercial insurance companies as a senior loss-control consultant. He is a life member of the IAFC.
