Grand Lake Converts Tanker

   The Grand Lake Fire Department recently rebuilt its 1991 Ford tanker.  The truck was originally equipped with a 2,400 gallon elliptical fiberglass tank.  Due to safety concerns regarding how the tank was secured to the chassis, the fire department opted to have a new 1,600 gallon tank installed.  The new tank is fully baffled (side to side and front to back) and allows for more compartment space, three dump chutes, hose storage bed and a drop tank rack.  The tank was built by Flatwater Fleet of Twig, Minnesota at a cost of about $23,000.  

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Mountain Iron buys pumper-tanker

   The Mountain Iron Fire Department has taken delivery of a pumper-tanker built by Custom Fire Apparatus of Osceola, Wisconsin.  The apparatus has a Waterous 1250 GPM pump, 2,500 gallon water tank and a Waterous/Pnuemax Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS).  The pumper-tanker is on an International 7600 chassis powered by a CAT C-13 engine with an Allison automatic transmission.  The price tag was put at $295,000 with most of the money coming from a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

GRS purchases wildland fire rig

   The Greaney-Rauch-Silverdale (GRS) Fire Department is operating a new wildland fire rig.  The apparatus include a Waterous Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS), Foam PRO 1601 system and a 255 gallon poly tank mounted on a Chevrolet chassis.  The cost of the rig was $46,390.  Most of the funding came through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.  The rig was manufactured by Custom Fire Apparatus of Osceola, Wisconsin.

Biwabik purchases initial attack pumper

   The Biwabik, Fire Department used an $112,500 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase an initial attack pumper.  The apparatus is a 2005 Ford F-550 with a Waterous pump, compressed air foam (CAF) system and a 275-gallon tank.  According to fire department officials, the rig will also be used as a rescue vehicle, carrying the department’s Jaws of Life and other rescue equipment. The total cost of the new truck was put at $152,000.  Big German Fire Equipment of Elgin, North Dakota manufactured the rig.  

Eveleth buys heavy rescue truck

   The Eveleth Fire Department used a $135,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase a new heavy rescue apparatus.  The custom built truck is on a 2005 International 7400 chassis.  The new truck includes a fully enclosed command center and telescoping light tower.  The department is carrying all of its heavy rescue equipment (hydraulic spreader, cutter, rams; air lift bags, cribbing and electric rescue saws) and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) equipment on the rig.  The truck replaces a 1977 Ford rescue truck, which had seen extensive service in both Duluth and Eveleth.  Alexis Fire Equipment of Alexis, Illinois, built the new rescue apparatus.  The total cost was nearly $160,000.  The rescue truck is pictured at a multiple alarm fire which occurred in Virginia on April 14, 2005.  Photo courtesy of Captain Jeff Damm-Virginia /Fire Department (retired).

New pumper at Grand Lake

The Grand Lake Fire Department recently took delivery of a new pumper manufactured by Central Fire Apparatus of Lyons, South Dakota.  The pumper, which is on a Freightliner M2 business chassis, is powered by a 300 horsepower Mercedes Benz diesel engine.  It is equipped with a Waterous 1250 GPM pump, 1,000 gallon tank and a Foam Pro 1600 system.  The fully equipped apparatus was placed in service in November.  The total cost was $192,000.

Evergreen purchases pumper

   The Evergreen Fire Department recently purchased a 1981 Mack pumper.  The apparatus is powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine and a four speed Allison automatic transmission.  The pumper has a two stage 1250 GPM pump, 500 gallon poly tank and a foam system.  The engine was purchased from the Lebanon Lakes Volunteer Fire Department of New Jersey.  The cost was put at $8,000, plus shipping expenses.

International Falls Fire Department purchases Custom Fire apparatus

   The International Falls Fire Department is the proud owner of two new fire apparatus from Custom Fire Apparatus of Osceola, Wisconsin.  The purchase included a pumper and a rescue truck.  The pumper, built on a 2004 Peterbilt chassis, has a Waterous two stage 1250 GPM pump, complete with a Class A and Class B foam system, which includes Compressed Air Foam(CAF).  “We really like the enclosed, top mounted pump panel,” said I-Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jensen.  “The operator has full view of the fire scene and he is also protected from the elements.”  The pumper was put into service in June.  The cost was $296,000.  The rescue truck, which is also on a 2004 Peterbilt chassis, will carry all of the fire department’s heavy rescue equipment.  “We really needed to replace our rescue rig and this apparatus was the right choice,” said Jensen.   “We now have ample room for our hydraulic spreader, cutter and air lift bags.  We are very proud of both of these rigs.  They will serve our community and surrounding area for many years to come.”  The rescue truck, which went into service in July, cost $264,000.

Scanlon Firefighter Sarah Plante and Chief Tim Pederson stand beside the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup that was donated to the Scanlon Fire Department by Great Lakes Gas and Transmission Co.Department personnel spent many nights at the hall to set the vehicle up for firefighting. It replaces a 1984 F-250 pickup. 

Hermantown’s New Aerial

   Hermantown’s new E-One Tyhpoon aerial apparatus went into service on January 1, 2004.  The rig includes a 75 foot ladder, 1250 GPM Hale pump and a Foam Pro 1600 foam unit.  The apparatus is powered by a 300 horsepower Cummins diesel engine with an Allison automatic transmission.  The cost of the aerial was put at nearly $423,000.  The truck is based out of Hermantown Station One, which is located on the Maple Grove Road.  

Fire Wire Editor fulfills lifelong dream and buys fire engine

   After talking about it and dreaming about it for over 20 years, Fire Wire Editor Peter Makowski fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing his own fire truck.  In October of 2002, Makowski submitted a bid to the Pipestone Fire Department for a 1971 Ward LaFrance pumper.  He got it!!

   Last spring, Makowski and his friend Jesse Nyhus of Chisholm drove the engine back to the Iron Range.  For several months, Pipestone Engine 1 was transformed into Engine 51, named after the fictitious Engine 51 from the 1970’s TV show “Emergency.”  Makowski, who watched the show religiously, had always hoped to buy a fire engine, which would be identical to Engine 51.  While he never gave up his dream, there were times when it seemed nearly impossible.  “I guess if you believe in your dream, you just keeping following it until it comes true,” said Makowski.  “I’m glad I continued to be so persistent.”

   Makowski hopes to take Engine 51 on the “parade circuit “in 2004.  Perhaps his biggest goal with the truck, however, is to be able to give rides to physically challenged children.  “I think every child at one time or another wants to be a firefighter.  Some won’t be able to do this, but at least I can meet them part of way on their dream,” added Makowski.  “I plan to share my dream with these kids if I can.”

   Here’s some statistics about Pete Makowski’s Engine 51:

            671 Detroit Diesel

            Allison automatic transmission

            Hale two stage pump (1250 gpm)-fully operational

            500 gallon booster tank    

Morris-Fall Lake fire truck under construction

February 13 – Fire Wire Editor Peter Makowski took a little trip to visit Custom Fire in Osceola, Wisconsin and had an opportunity to get a first hand look at the new Morris-Fall Lake fire truck.  “We had a great time at Custom Fire,” said Makowski, who flew down to the factory with Greenwood Assistant Fire Chief Scott Kregness.  "The new truck looks just great and at that time, they had just lowered the tank and cabinetry on the chassis.  The installation of the pump is probably next.”  Makowski also had a chance to see the early construction work on one of the new rigs for the International Falls Fire Department.  “It was just a frame and they had a long way to go.  It was impressive, however, to see how these trucks are built from the ground up.”  The Mountain Iron Fire Department recently announced that its new combination pumper-tanker would be built by Custom Fire.  According to Makowski, design engineers at Custom were already working on the blueprints for that apparatus.  Custom Fire is planning to bid on apparatus for several other area fire departments.

New Rigs in Service in Duluth

The Duluth Fire Department is the proud new owner of two American LaFrance rigs, which went into service this past summer.

Rescue 1 went into service on July 24, 2002.  The truck is powered by a CAT 330 with an Allison automatic transmission.  The new rig includes a raised Metro cab with a walk thru to the rescue body.  Rescue 1 has a 35KW Onan generator and roof mounted light tower.  The cost was put at around $250,000.

3 Engine, which includes a 55 foot Squrt from the previous 3 Engine, went into service on August 23^rd.  The rig, which has a Metro cab, is powered by a CAT 330 and includes a 1,500 GPM Waterous pump and 500 gallon poly tank.  The approximate cost was $262,000.

Both Rescue 1 and 3 Engine are based out of the Duluth Fire Department headquarters, located at 602 West 2^nd Street.   

The Virginia Fire Department has a new rescue truck.  The E-One rig was ordered in October of 2001 and was delivered in February.   The new truck includes a 500 GPM Hale pump, 300 gallon poly tank and a Foam Pro foam system.  Skubic Brother of Virginia, Minnesota supplied the International chassis.  “This new rescue truck is the result of a lot of work by a group of dedicated individuals who spent many hours designing this apparatus,” said Virginia Fire Chief Lyle Vandervort.  “We have over a year of planning in this rig.”  The rescue truck carries a wide variety of rescue tools including a TNT Jaws of Life package.  It also has a built in air compressor for operating air powered rescue equipment.  The cost of the truck was put at 204,000.   

The Greenwood Fire Department has taken delivery of a new pumper from Custom Fire of Osceola, Wisconsin. The new rig includes a 1,500 GPM Waterous pump, 1,000 gallon tank and a Foam Pro 2001 Class A foam system, which are all mounted on an International Navistar chassis.Skubic Brothers of Virginia, Minnesota supplied the chassis. The cost of the pumper was put at $230,000. The Greenwood Fire Department provides service to Greenwood Township, which is located along the eastern shores of Lake Vermilion.

The Eveleth Fire Department has put its new General pumper in service. The pumper, which is mounted on an International chassis, has a 1250 GPM Waterous single stage pump, 1,000 gallon tank and a Foam Pro foam system. The cost of the new truck was put around $140,000. The rig replaces a 1975 Ford Bean pumper.

The Mountain Iron Fire Department has purchased an E-One mini pumper from Metro Fire of Ham Lake, Minnesota. The new rig has a 1,000 GPM Waterous pump, 300 gallon booster tank and a Foam Pro foam system mounted on a Ford 550 chassis. The cost was put at $127,000. The new pumper replaces a 1957 Chevrolet pumper which was used for wildland firefighting.