Home at last!

Not to sound like the article for the delivery of the new rescue truck, but.... IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE... at least for the weekend.

Members of the fire company went to Nazareth, Pa. to attend Pierce Manufacturing's "Big Show" on Saturday, May 3rd. At the show they were able to see several of the apparatus makers products and one very special ladder truck.

The 105' Heavy Duty Aerial Ladder on a Dash chassis is the very first "new" ladder truck in the company's history. It will replace a 1968 Maxim 85' ladder that was purchased used from the Aberdeen, Md. fire company in 1990.

Truck Committee member's Charles Cameron, Wesley Cameron, Adam Haines, and John Smith spent the first day of the show on Friday checking over the unit and going over a "hit list" of corrections that was made when the group went to Bradenton, Fl. in March.

The committee then met up with the department's members on Saturday to showcase the apparatus before bringing it home at the end of the day. Chief William Ewing accompanied them while they made the 125 mile trip to Rising Sun. Once they neared town, they met Driver/Operator Charles Goodie and handed over the wheel so he had the honor of driving the unit into town and presenting it to the awaiting membership gathered at the station.

Charlie Goodie has been the traditional person in that role. He has 'brought home' every piece of fire apparatus over the last four decades.

The unit will have a short stay in Rising Sun, it is expected to go to Potomac Fire Equipment in Hebron, Md. to have the unit painted in our company colors, and for servicing. Hopefully, it should return to us by the end of the month.

Once our drivers, operators and firefighters are properly trained and the equipment is mounted in the compartments the unit will be ready to answer calls.

The unit will be on display at the Maryland State Fireman's Convention in Ocean City, Md. in June.

May 3, 2003

More pictures:

• View of driver's side from the Nazareth Show.
• View of the unit from a 100' Sky-Arm.
• Passenger side of 861 at the Nazareth Show.
• Rear corner view while at the show.
• Committee members inspect the aerial tip controls at the show.
• Aerial ladder set up at the Nazareth show.
• Driver's side view in front of Station 8.
• Rounding corner on it's way into the station.
• Posing with it's sister unit, Rescue 871.
• Press release delivery photo.
• Charlie Goodie 'brings her home'.
• Company members gather at the station awaiting her arrival.
• The new truck and the old truck.
• The Truck Committee poses with their new unit.