Massena Volunteer Fire Department welcomes new pumper
Oct. 16—MASSENA — It seemed fitting that on the night the Massena Volunteer Fire Department wrapped up Fire Prevention Week with its annual banquet, the newest piece of equipment arrived at the station.
With siren blaring and lights flashing, and as members and dinner guests waited in the parking lot, Engine 30 made its official debut at the station and will now serve as the primary truck when responding to calls.
Chief Patrick M. O'Brien said the process to obtain a new pumper began about 21/2 years ago when village of Massena trustees initially began discussing the replacement of Engine 28, which was approximately 28 years old, but had an average life span of about 25 years.
Fire officials had told trustees the engine was one of the department's "workhorses," responding to all vehicle fires and accidents in the district. It was also the second engine to structure fires and was frequently used at draft sites to supply water. But, the longer it remained in service, the more repairs it needed.
"Things are cracking and breaking on it. Twenty-eight is starting to show its internal plumbing," Foreman Aaron T. Hardy had told trustees.
Trustees agreed last year to bond for $150,000 to pay for a portion of what was then the estimated $800,000 cost of the new truck. They also used $500,000 of the village's American Rescue Plan Act funds, and the fire department contributed $150,000.
That began the process of building a truck that would meet the department's specifications. Shakerley Fire Truck Sales/VRS Sales Ltd. sold the pumper to the department. Fire apparatus manufacturer Toyne, Inc. in Breda, Iowa, built the new pumper for the department.
Department members kept a watchful eye on its progress, most recently visiting Iowa to complete the pre-delivery final inspection in August. A company employee then drove the vehicle to Albany, where the equipment was mounted and decals affixed.
The final cost was about $750,000, which O'Brien said would be $950,000 if they ordered it now, and more than $1 million if they ordered it after new emission standards took effect.
He said one of the new features is an enclosed pump cabinet. The former engine had an open pump cabinet, which he said exposed it to the elements.
He announced the arrival of the engine to the dinner guests.
"Many of you saw we just had our new Engine 30 delivered. So, I'm pretty sure the three of us up here are going to sleep a little easier," O'Brien said. "We don't realize how much we support training and community activities until it was really curtailed with the loss of Engine 28. It's been difficult for us to send a truck to support training classes in West Potsdam. We send trucks to support training classes in Westville and Franklin County. We send mutual aid to departments on a fairly regular basis. It's been an eye-opening experience trying to run with a single engine."
It will be well-used, he said. They responded to nearly 800 calls last year.
"This year, we're already on our way to 900 and we'll probably break 1,000 easily this year," O'Brien said "That second engine is a godsend to us, and we wouldn't have the engine that we have right now without the support of our village board and our mayor. So, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for all of your support.'
