Township mulls new fire truck

Township committee authorizes re-evaluation of volunteer fire company.

By: Elaine Worden
   The Township Committee wants to assess the equipment needs of the Cranbury Volunteer Fire Company.
   On Monday, the committee authorized Bill Peters, a consultant for Fire Apparatus Consulting Services, to evaluate a study on the company’s needs he performed in 1998 and published in 1999.
   In the 1999 report, Mr. Peters had recommended that the township fire company buy a new rescue pumper in 2005, something the township is looking into as a way to replace a 1976 model.
   "We took his evaluation in 1999, and basically we followed it to the letter," said Township Committeeman Tom Panconi, who also is liaison to the fire company. "We’ve been pretty much implementing the items he pointed out in his evaluation."
   But because the last evaluation was six years ago, and because the town is growing, the committee agreed that before purchasing new equipment it would find out if the same conditions exist.
   A new truck is estimated to cost about $450,000, according to Township Administrator Fred Carr. The fire company has asked the township to pay $400,000; the company would pay the remainder.
   The fire company owns a 2003 Pierce 100-foot Tower/Ladder Truck, a 2000 Pierce Dash Pumper Truck, a 1982 Pierce Duplex Pumper Truck and a 1976 Tasc Duplex Pumper Truck.
   The usual life span of a fire vehicle, when kept in good condition, is about 20 to 25 years, said Mr. Panconi. In 2003 the company had its 1964 ladder truck decommissioned and purchased a new one.
   "It’s a reserve vehicle, so they don’t need all the bells and whistles of a first responder," said Mr. Panconi of the anticipated pumper truck purchase.
   Mr. Peters will review the types of calls the company receives as well as the frequency of use for each apparatus. The evaluation should begin sometime in May and be completed by June or July.
   "I think he’s going to definitely be very thorough, and hopefully we’ll have a basis to make a decision on the purchase of replacing the third pumper truck," said Mr. Panconi.
   Mr. Panconi said he is optimistic about the outcome of the evaluation and that the company will be able to purchase a new truck.
   "We have a volunteer Fire Department, the town supports the fire company 100 percent, and they do a wonderful job," he said.