New fire truck provides more rural protection

ESCANABA -- Escanaba and Wells Township firefighters have been busy training on a brand new fire truck learning how to use a new foam system. It will make firefighting efforts easier, as well as offer more extinguishing power during an emergency.

The 2017 Pierce Saber engine pumper arrived at Escanaba Public Safety on Dec. 1, just a couple hours before the annual downtown Christmas Parade where the truck made its first appearance in the community.

"It's kind of a game changer for us with the way we can fight fires," said Escanaba Public Safety Director Rob LaMarche, explaining the CAF or "compressed air foam" system allows the 1,000 gallons of water on board to be converted into more than 5,000 gallons of fire-fighting foam, depending on the consistency of the foam.

The new pumper can fight fires five to seven times longer at a scene on one tank of water, allowing firefighters to spend less time running back and forth to refill the tank at a water source, the fire chief said. This is especially significant for fires in rural areas, he noted.

Because the foam weighs less than water, the fire hoses are lighter, requiring less energy for firefighters to handle and cutting down on their fatigue, he added.

Lt. Marc Zawacki said firefighters are excited about the capabilities of the CAF system which also includes using the foam to coat property -- such as propane tanks, vehicles or buildings next to a fire -- to help prevent additional fire or heat damage.

Both the city of Escanaba and Wells Township paid for the $393,782 new pumper because the two departments work together to respond to local fire emergencies in the two municipalities under a mutual agreement.

Training on the new pumper began Thursday and continues through Jan. 3, said LaMarche. Fire fighters from both the city department and the Wells Township Volunteer Fire Department are learning how to operate the vehicle and making sure everything is operating sufficiently.

"On Jan. 3rd, we'll be conducting our third round of training for that truck which we'll put in service shortly after that," said LaMarche, explaining the 2017 truck will replace the oldest pumper, the 1988 Wells Township pumper.

The new truck -- which can pump 1,500 gallons per minute -- will be used as the primary pumper to respond to fire emergencies in Escanaba and Wells Township while the departments' other pumper will serve as a backup, noted LaMarche.

Once the new pumper is in service, the two departments' firefighting fleet will consist of two pumpers, a ladder truck, a tender, and a rescue truck.

-- -- --

Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net