11-30-2007 South Bend Fire Department’s new and improved Rescue 1

Home Browse Search

2 Chief Buchanon pointed out that"the new vehicle also incorporates a number of new safety features to protect both the firefighters and their equipment in the event of collisions or other accidents while traveling to the scene of a fire. It also includes a small compartment inside the vehicle to allow firefighters needing to don specialized gear(i.e. diving equipment) to do so before reaching the scene." The truck has a state of the art air-fill system for quickly replenishing air tanks on site and an electric wench that can be positioned for use from all four sides of the vehicle for towing and removal of other obstacles. It is also equipped with a powerful universal light that can swivel in any direction for greater illumination at night. The old Rescue 1 will be re-sold and the money will be used to upgrade fire-fighting equipment for the department. Extrication equipment from the rig will be removed and redistributed to Engine 10 at Station 410 on York Road near the bypass, and to Engine 11 at Station 411 on Bendix Road. These additions are intended to augment First Response capabilities at these two stations, particularly because they both service the bypass areas and are geographically the furthest north and south. The truck has also been outfitted with a Tasmanian devil decal bearing the number "54", the badge number of the late Jim Cole, who passed away in February of 2003. A revered veteran and "old salt" of the department, he served for many years in Rescue, where he attained the rank of captain and was eventually promoted to Fire 102B Battalion Chief. "The decal pays tribute to the memory of his tireless decades of work in the service of the city," Chief Buchanon noted. Several retirees and former members of the South Bend Fire Department who served with Chief Cole were on hand for the ceremony. -30-