By David Fleet
Editor
Atlas Twp.— On March 26 Atlas Township Fire Chief Steve Bullen and Assistant Chief Ed Klimek drove out to New York to pick up their new Rescue truck. The truck was put together at the Ward Apparatus plant in Horseheads, New York.
On April 24 the truck was ready for use and on display for the public at the Atlas Township Fire station.
The chassis is a Ford Super Duty 650. The new rescue will respond to all medical and rescue emergencies in Atlas Township. The truck will carry five firefighters in the crew cab and has three seats in the rear cab complete with SCBA packs. The new rescue comes equipped with a smart power 8,000-watt hydraulic generator and a 360-degree LED command light tower both recessed in the roof compartment.
“The new rescue is just incredible” said Klimek “It’s built for practicality and will hold all of our medical supplies as well as our heavy rescue equipment and there are so many new safety features that our firefighters and the Township residents will benefit from.”
The new Rescue-18 features an overhead 360-degree camera that automatically turns on when the truck goes into gear. When the light tower is activated, they can dim the flashing lights and completely turn off the white lights on the light bar.
“On roadside emergencies this is going to be a major safety advantage for oncoming traffic as well as the crew on scene,” said Klimek. “By dimming their white flashing overhead lights, it will be easier for oncoming vehicles to see their truck more clearly.”
Klimek said the truck will have a lot more storage room than their old one. The side compartments feature transverse slide out trays for the heavier equipment and adjustable shelves with multiple outlets and usb chargers for all their rechargeable equipment.
“We have new battery-operated spreaders as well as LED stop signs and road flares that can now be charging on the truck and ready to go when needed,” said Bullen. “We are very fortunate to have the full support of our Township officials who continue to make sure we have the safest equipment for our community as well as our firefighters.”