Stratford fire apparatus sidelined

JOHN BURGESON
Article Last Updated: 08/01/2008 12:10:20 AM EDT

STRATFORD — Two of the town's six fire engines had to be yanked from service Monday for repairs.

While the action was "no big deal," according to town officials, the Fire Department is eagerly awaiting the arrival two fire engines — one used, the other new — to shore up its aging fleet.

In May, town firefighters found themselves borrowing an engine from the Shelton Fire Department when a similar situation arose.

On Wednesday, one engine had a part in the steering linkage replaced and another needed a new compressed air tank — a vital part of the vehicle's air brake system. Both engines were back in service as of Thursday.

Mayor James R. Miron said that one of the challenges he's had to face as the town's first mayor was dealing with its aging rolling stock of fire trucks, police cars and public works vehicles. Many of the vehicles, city employees say, are nearing the end of their service lives — and some are past that point.

"The Fire Department has been requesting — and I have been requesting — new equipment, including firetrucks," Miron said. "This year, the council approved funding for a used firetruck and a new firetruck."

The mayor added that "there's nothing wrong with a used truck — they generally have a service life of about 20 years — the one we're looking is about 10 years old with 17,000 miles on it for less than half the price a new one would cost."

Miron said that a big advantage of buying a used fire engine is that it can be in service in a matter of weeks. Because fire engines are custom-built, they generally take several months from the time they're ordered to the day they're delivered.

"You have to have a plan in place to rotate vehicles out of service so the town can get something for them on the resale market," Miron said. "If you sell your fire truck after 10 years, you can get some of your money back and use that for a new truck."

Fire Chief John J. Cybart said the used truck will be used as a spare engine. "It'll better serve us because it'll be a newer spare than the one we have. We probably won't see that new truck until spring — that's just the way it is — but after that, we'll be on track with our vehicle replacement program." The used truck will cost about $200,000; the new one will be more than double that, town officials say.

The town has four fire stations — the Main Street headquarters, plus stations on Huntington Road, Prospect Drive and Oronoque Lane. Each station has one engine. In addition, the headquarters houses the department's only ladder truck, as well as a "pumper rescue" truck that is geared more for responding to motor vehicle crashes, brush fires, nighttime emergencies (it's equipped with a light array) and a generator.

Public Works Director Maurice McCarthy, whose department oversees town vehicle maintenance, said that he's in the process of "coming up with a reasonable replacement program that the town can afford."

And, he added, "All of the rolling stock in town is being inspected — mowers, trucks, everything, and if it isn't where it should be, we'll either correct it or scrap it. An awful lot of the equipment is 16 to 25 years old — beyond it's useful life."

The new truck, Cybart said, will replace Engine 2. "I'm looking to make that another pumper rescue truck," he said. "Down the road — I would like see about getting a second ladder truck."

"We got away from our replacement program, but I have a good feeling that we're on track now," Cybart said. "But I don't want to beat a dead horse. I want to look forward." He said that when shopping for a used fire engine, the town's Purchasing Department has to be prepared to act quickly. "It's like going to the Chevy dealer and finding a car that you really like," Cybart said. "If you go home and say, 'Let me think about it,' someone will jump in front of you."

He had nothing but praise for the town's public works mechanic, Paul Gagne. "He does a great job — I can't say enough about Paul."

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Showing posts 1 - 4 of 4 laughing stock
Meriden, CT Reply »

>>>>>Mayor James R. Miron said that one of the challenges he's had to face as the town's first mayor was dealing with its aging rolling stock of fire trucks, police cars and public works vehicles. Many of the vehicles, city employees say, are nearing the end of their service lives and some are past that point.

The end of the line is near for Moron too. He has turned out be one of the biggest disappointments this town has ever seen.

Appointing Richard Burturla attorney
Appointing John Burturla police chief
Firing Steve Danzer
Firing Elaine Okeefe
Juicing the system to get Christian Miron on the police force despite his failing a battery of tests including the psychological profile

His father too is an embarrassment. Stealing widows funds for gravestones and diverting it to Morons campaign. Bailing his druggie daughter out of an embezzlement rap.

The entire family is dysfunctional. Lets rid ourselves of them and elect a real mayor next time.
Truth
Stratford, CT Reply »

Well you cant blame the mayor for this problem of firetrucks when it was the Council who cut the firetrucks year after year. Speak the truth allready.
THE GENUINEPHYLLIS


“PLEASE HELP ME SAVE THE WORLD?”

Joined: Mar 20, 2008
Comments: 943
CT,USA
ISP Location: Bridgeport, CT Reply »

Truth wrote:
Well you cant blame the mayor for this problem of firetrucks when it was the Council who cut the firetrucks year after year. Speak the truth allready.
That is totally correct...put the blame where it belongs. Long before a Mayor -little or no planning...OUR fault for accepting this,OUR FAULT for little or total lack of involvment...THIS DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT! What are we SLEEPY HOLLOW?
THE GENUINEPHYLLIS


“PLEASE HELP ME SAVE THE WORLD?”

Joined: Mar 20, 2008
Comments: 943
CT,USA
ISP Location: Bridgeport, CT Reply »

Who was it that fired Steve Danzer?? What a Big mistake!

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