Crime & Safety
Alburtis FD Uprgrades Brush Truck with DIY Artistry
They do a lot of the work themselves and take advantage of a surplus truck and grants to save at least $30,000, chief says.
Alburtis Fire Department has in effect swapped a 1979 brush truck for a scratch-free 2001 model—all at no cost.
The favorable trade was made possible by a bit of wisdom, grants, generous donors and sweat equity on the part of the volunteers.
The "new" truck has been in service for a few weeks, but it is only within the last week in which the final striping and lettering were done to put the bow on the present.
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Firefighters began by looking to replace their 1979 Dodge Powerwagon brush truck. The department received a free 2001 Ford F250 pickup truck from surplus through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Members worked to perform maintenance to improve it running condition. They also switched over the pump, tank and equipment. Next came paint in the department's color scheme of red and black and emergency red lights, and the make-over was nearly complete.
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Chief Donnie Smith said grants, donations and members' willingness and know-how to perform the mechanical, body work and paint essentially meant the department received the upgraded brush truck for free. He estimated the effort saved $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the type of used brush truck the department might have purchased.
The truck carries 250 gallons of water with a pump rate at 250 gallons per minute.
In addition to the brush truck, the department also has a pumper, tanker, rescue pumper and utility vehicle.
