Mule at Work: Kawasaki Mule on loan to Mystic Fire Department

Posted by Interactive Desk on Dec 29 2008, 10:34 AM
The Mystic Times

The Mystic Fire Department recently acquired a brand new mule, but it’s not the department’s latest pet, and it certainly bears no resemblance to a donkey.

Thanks to the Kawasaki Loaner Program and New England Cycle Works of Groton, the fire department recently took delivery of a 2009 Kawasaki Mule for use at emergency scenes. In addition, the Mule will also be available to the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. The machine will be made available for mutual aid to other departments for off-road emergencies and other incidents.

Mystic Fire Department’s Assistant Chief Anthony Manfredi explained, “It’s going to be used for parades and special events in the area. It’s going to carry a medical defibrillator, and it’s going to be used for our regional HAZMAT team to transport HAZMAT technicians and the equipment they need to hot zone areas.”

The Kawasaki Mule is a four-seater but can convert into a two-seater. “It has an extra long bed on it, so if we had to we could put two backboards with two patients on them and transport them out of a wooded area, for example. It’s very versatile,” Manfredi said.

The Mystic Fire Department approached New England Cycle Works about Kawasaki’s loaner program for emergency services. The vehicle is on loan for 11 months, at which time the department turns it in.

“Kawasaki gives [New England Cycle Works] a little discount on selling it, so they sell it for less because it’s a used vehicle. It helps everybody out,” the Assistant Chief said.

Recently, the Mule put in some time on the Extreme Makeover: Home Editionsite in Voluntown.

“It provided a great asset to our Incident Management team that we sent up there for transportation around the site. I transported it up there to transport the different key players around the site. They used it day and night. It was available to them 16 hours a day,” Manfredi noted. “It’s nice to know it’s already been put to good use.”

After the loan period is over, the department plans to renew the contract to procure another vehicle. “It would be up to New England Cycle Works to do it again, but they seem pretty positive they’re going to,” Manfredi said.

Fritz Hilbert, chief of the Mystic Fire Department, added, “The Mystic Fire Department is extremely grateful to Jeff Welcome at New England Cycle Works for his willingness to help out the Emergency Services and take part in this special loaner program developed by Kawasaki. We are very fortunate and thankful to Jeff and his staff.”

“We’re lucky enough to be involved with a manufacturer that participates in the program,” said Welcome. “It was a combined effort between the Mystic Fire Department, New England Cycle Works, and Kawasaki to loan this vehicle. It’s good exposure for us, but most of all it’s for the community.”

Manfredi added, “They’re really excited about working with emergency services in the area. It’s a big asset to us—not only to us but the whole region.”

By Susan Cornell
Special to the Times