Grovetown supersizes firefighting arsenal
The Grovetown Department of Public Safety recently added another weapon to its firefighting arsenal.
Grovetown Public Safety officers Capt. Wayne Kent (left) and Dairen Cato stand in front of the department's new six-man cab, Typhoon ladder truck.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
City officials approved the purchase of a six-man cab, Typhoon ladder truck with a roof ladder capable of reaching 75 feet high.
"With the growth of the city, now there are $225,000 houses that are three stories in Grovetown," Grovetown Department of Public Safety Chief A.L. "Al" Robinson, said. "With the development of a lot of new subdivision, the size of the houses (are growing) and they are so close together. So not only in height, but also the volume of water needed for a structure fire, (this truck) is what we need."
The 37-foot-long ladder truck was delivered July 1 and firefighters are training on driving, operating and maintaining the truck in hopes of getting the truck in service Aug. 1, Robinson said.
The truck, which will be housed at the headquarters station on Robinson Avenue, has the capability of pumping 1,000 gallons of water per minute through a hose that runs to the end of the ladder. Being able to spray water from above a structure fire helps keep it under control and protect neighboring buildings, Capt. Wayne Kent said.
Kent said the truck is called a "quint" because it is both a ladder and a pumper truck. The ladder provides aerial ability while the 500-gallon on board tank allows firefighters to make the initial attack while still being able to attach to a hydrant for more water, he said.
"It's all remote control," Kent said. "You don't have to climb up to the top (of the ladder) to angle (the hose). On a pedestal on the turntable, it's got levers to move it."
Kent said the ladder also can be used as a crane in low-rescue situations including when victims are stuck down an embankment.
The truck, purchased from FireLine Inc. in Winder, Ga., cost $370,000, $60,000 below the normal price because it was a company demo truck. Funds from the 2006 one-cent sales tax will pay for the truck, which was originally slated to be purchased in early 2006, Robinson said.
"We saved $60,000 by getting it now instead of waiting until the first of next year," Robinson said.
The city purchased trucks most recent for the department in 2001 with a rescue/extrication truck and in 1996 with an engine truck, Kent said. While firefighters spend July training on the truck, the department is also installing radio equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus and miscellaneous hand tools and equipment. The truck came equipped with lights and 119 feet of extension and multi-purpose ground ladders.
Kent said his crew was excited when the truck was delivered July 1.
"They all can't wait to drive it," Kent said.