Fire department proposes rescue boat purchase

12/18/2006

By:Corey Sipe , Staff Writer

WESTBROOK - Saving lives has always been a priority of the Westbrook Fire Department, a goal they feel can be further reached with the purchase of a fire rescue boat.
Westbrook Fire Department Captain Aiden Kelly gave a presentation at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting highlighting the department's need for a new rescue boat.
Kelly, who served as chairman of the committee who studied departmental needs for marine rescue, said it is obvious that the town needs a much better rescue boat than it currently owns today.
It is important that the town purchase a new rescue boat because, according to a minutes of the Oct. 5 Westbrook Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, Assistant Chief Ralph Buck said if the boat is not purchased, the town's fire department will not be able to offer any marine services because the current boat is not safe.
Kelly said the current rescue boat has experienced damage caused by loading and unloading of passengers from other boats and the proposed rescue boat is better designed to prevent this type of damage and will allow more room to service victims.
The continuing growth of Westbrook's recreational boating area, the potential for increased mutual aid if the proposed Broadwater liquefied natural gas facility is built in Long Island Sound, the increased number of homes and industry along town waterways, and the growing needs for water protection, were the main reaons, Kelly said that rescue boat services need to continue.
Kelly also noted that the Westbrook Fire Department performs mutual aid for the U.S. Coast Guard in New London, noting that the town is in the unique position of being halfway between New London and New Haven.
Unlike fire victims' ability to run from a burning building, those fleeing a burning boat can quickly fall victim to hypothermia and fatigue until they are safely onboard a vessel, Kelly said.
The proposed rescue boat would be capable of handling hazardous conditions and corrosive atmospheres and is the same type exclusively used by the New York City Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
These agencies have told Kelly they were pleased with their purchase since this type of rescue boat, unlike other models, is designed for a long life.
The boat is made of aluminum, has a fully enclosed cabin, outboard engines, and removable fire pump, Kelly said.
The removable fire pump can be used to extinguish fires in beach areas or to dewater another boat when performing mutual aid tasks.
While some rescue boats are made of fiberglass, they often absorb water causing expansion and blistering, Kelly said.
The boat is large enough for the Long Island Sound and small enough to work in a marina area, Kelly said.
This ability will increase accessibility to waterfront cottages, Kelly said, as well as other buildings along waterways such as the Mulvey Municipal Center.
It also can go underneath the singing bridge on Route 1, Kelly noted.
The boat's floor has a skid surface and handrails to protect from injuries caused by slipping on wet surfaces.
The boat has high visibility, high maneuverability, and will have low engine noise, all conducive for search and rescue missions, Kelly said.
The rescue boat has the capability of accommodating four firefighters and is rated for a total of 16 people.
After soliciting bids, the lowest bidder, Safe Boats International, told Westbrook Fire Department that the rescue boat including electronics would come at a cost of $215,349.97.
While electronics could be purchased separately, Kelly noted the importance of having the boat in operation upon delivery.
The New York Fire Department has offered to train Westbrook Fire Department staff once the boat arrives, Kelly said.
Ongoing maintenance costs for the boat are expected to be low, Kelly noted, adding that the boat can safely be in operation for three years before maintenance is required.
At that point, only a bottom end oil change is needed, Kelly said, adding that new sparkplugs would not be needed until the rescue boat is six years old.
"The vessel will last as long if not longer than our current boat did," Kelly said.
Selectman Robert Mulvihill asked Kelly whether the committee contemplated purchasing a used rescue boat.
While Kelly said while the committee considered this option, it believed purchasing a used boat is "purchasing someone else's problems."
First Selectman John Raffa noted this is a "big purchase for the town for the fire department" and tabled the motion to act on the bid until next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
Kelly cautioned the board members they need to act quickly since bids for the boat will expire on March 5, 2007.