SLVFD Acquires New Misc. 349

In 2001 SLVFD was awarded a grant to purchase a vehicle to transport personnel and equipment. That vehicle was in the process of being purchased when the attacks of September 11th hit. That grant was cancelled in light of the disaster. Almost 10 years later the SLVFD has purchased such a vehicle.

The 2011 Ford Pickup officially numbered by the county as 17-Misc-349 has been long overdue and will serve in the following capacities:

* To tow department owned trailers, i.e. boats, utility trailers, and Franklin Counties emergency light tower which is prepositioned here in the Saranac Lake area.
* To transport manpower and supplies to emergency scenes
* To transport manpower on mutual aid requests
* To clean up and carry hose following fires
* To transport members to required state training
* To provide a support vehicle required at fire police operations
* To provide a support vehicle on scenes that require a vehicle of less stature than a full sized fire truck, i.e. downed powerlines, back country rescue, or accident and fire scene investigations.

The truck was purchased through High Peaks Ford in Ray Brook. It is estimated that the cost of the truck was reduced by some $13,000 as it was purchased at or below state contract and generous donations of time and equipment. Special thanks are due to the following:

* Darrahs Auto Body for donation of tonneau cover, back rack, and bug guard.
* Fred Finn for Lettering
* Mike Knapp donated his services and time to install the radios, siren speaker and controls, as well as all emergency warning lights
* High Peaks Ford for a full tank of gas

The truck was initially delivered in February and received its finishing touches "Lettering" this week. It has already appeared in the Winter Carnival Parade and coincidently responded to a call for snow mobiles through the ice during the Parade. On February 24th it responded with man power to a mutual aid request to a structure fire in Tupper Lake.