Friedens needs to modify fire station to accommodate new fire truck in 2023

Judy D.J. Ellich, The Daily American
·2 min read
1

The Friedens Volunteer Fire Co., dispatched more than once a day, needs dependable equipment to save homes and residents and assist at accidents. This year the company has been called out as far as Bedford to assist.

Friedens' first out engine is more than 20 years old. The National Fire Protection Association recommends first out units not be over 20 years old.

"We just needed to replace it," said Alan Baumgardner, officer and part of a family tradition with the Friedens Volunteer Fire Co.

Here is what the Freidens Volunteer Fire Co.'s new fire truck will look like. The fire truck is expected to be delivered in early fall 2023.
Here is what the Freidens Volunteer Fire Co.'s new fire truck will look like. The fire truck is expected to be delivered in early fall 2023.

So, Friedens is replacing its 1992 Engine with a New Pierce Engine. Expected delivery is early fall in 2023. The cost of the engine is $500,000 plus equipment, making the total cost at about $600,000, he said.

What:Severe storm causes house fire, destroys garage

Just to replace apparatus every 20 years, the fire company needs to bank $75,000 a year, Baumgardner explained.

"And that doesn’t cover," he said.

Fire departments face hall expenses, vehicle upkeep and other expenses throughout the year and mostly depend on fundraisers and donations to cover those.

Why:Crews put out Ursina blaze within just 15 minutes — but not fast enough to save the home

"We are always looking for new members to help with fundraising, fire, rescue and medical calls," Baumgardner said.

Making it fit

The new engine will be bigger than the engine now in operation.

Thus, to house this new engine, modifications will need to be done to the existing hall at 2243 Stoystown Road in the heart of Friedens. Those modifications will begin this coming spring, Baumgardner said.

Result:How faith & family bonds sustained the Hunsbergers after devastating Davidsville barn fire

"They really don’t make a chassis the size we need now that will fit our current garage doors. Therefore, we need to remove the two doors and replace them with one big door. We will also be reinforcing the current floor in the garage," he said.

The Friedens Volunteer Fire Co.'s station will need to be renovated to accommodate its new fire truck in 2023.
The Friedens Volunteer Fire Co.'s station will need to be renovated to accommodate its new fire truck in 2023.

The modifications should be completed a month to six weeks ahead of delivery. The cost: $60,000.

Any help the company can get from donations will be greatly appreciated, Baumgardner said.

New building site

Driving into Friedens there is a sign on a patch of land with a plaque displaying a thermometer goal chart. The red color depicting funds accrued barely creeps upward over the past several years and a half-finished gravel driveway wraps around a portion of the sign. It is to be where the new Friedens fire hall will be located.

"Well, on the site, we raised some money but not enough to pay for the whole building. So we still have that money earmarked for a building," he said.

"We do plan to use the land for fundraising events for now and hopefully a building at a future date," Baumgardner said.

More: Why did the Boswell Volunteer Fire Department purchase 3 AED units?

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Friedens orders fire truck, must renovate station so it will fit