Fire trucks usually stick around in the department for roughly 15 years, but the Fairport Fire Department was able to stretch out its engine’s life to close to 25 years — just about as long as Fire Chief John Overacker has been serving his community.
"We’re currently enroute to do training on hose line operations and pump training," Chief Overacker said. "We are going to work on flowing off of the front discharge on this truck, and training a new operator on how to use the pump itself."
What You Need To Know
- Fairport Fire Department has retired its old engine after roughly 25 years of service
- Its new rig, Engine 3422, was built right across the Thruway
- E-ONE Fire Truck Manufacturer has a facility located in Hamburg, New York and it's the only one of its kind across upstate New York
- Fairport FD's new rig can hold a thousand gallons of water and extra emergency equipment
The department has recently put into service its first new engine in decades: Engine 3422. Oftentimes, New York state fire departments order their fire trucks from manufacturers from across the country, but Fairport FD’s new rig came from right across the Thruway.
E-ONE Fire Truck Manufacturer in Hamburg is the only one of its kind across upstate.
"The fire departments across the country, we do this to serve local communities. Obviously our employees take great pride in building these very apparatuses. We know how important it is for the first responder community to be able to have new modern and reliable apparatus to serve the community," said Gary Pacilio, vice president and general manager.
Being New York state built was exciting news for Fairport firefighters.
"When we found out that it was being built near New York, that actually affords us the opportunity to be able to go out there frequently for vehicle inspections, making sure things were done the way we wanted them," Chief Overacker said, explaining being built in New York also allowed manufacturers to prepare the engine for, at times, extreme upstate weather.
Engine 3422 holds thousands of gallons of water for situations where hydrants aren’t always handy, as well as the most extra emergency equipment storage for motor vehicle accidents out of all the departments other rigs.
Chief Overacker is happy the new fire truck will be well prepared for whatever emergency situations may come up across the state.
"It’s really full circle when it comes time and place and needs. Absolutely. We in New York state has a very robust mutual aid plan. We all work together as needed. We all help each other as needed. And there is a good chance that this truck will actually help serve some of our neighboring communities," he explained. "It provides us with a better services provided to our community, sharing that we’re able to provide the best possible service we can."