If that pharmacy can claim to be “at the corner of Happy and Healthy,” then the community of South Haven should rightfully be able to lay claim to being “at the corner of Safe and Local.” Homegrown talent at Spencer Manufacturing in the community’s east side industrial park near LMC has delivered a brand spanking new 75-foot ladder truck to the fire team at South Haven Area Emergency Services, and it is a beauty.
The new ladder truck replaces the current 50-foot ladder truck that is 31 years old, and should add considerably to the peace of mind of business owners and resident’s alike thanks to the new truck’s equipment list and capabilities.
The new fire truck is powered by a 500-horse power Cummins engine with an Allison 4,000 EVS transmission with dual power take off’s. The new truck’s 1,200-gallon poly water tank and 20-gallon foam cell allows for Class “A” foam to be applied on most fires to help knock the flames down and out.
Firefighters say the new poly body takes away concerns over rust and corrosion in the future. A PTO driven 8KW generator will allow firefighters to run portable lighting, power fans and tools all at the same time if needed. The truck is outfitted with 1,000 feet of large diameter fire hose, over 800 feet of hand lines, Jaws of Life power tools for extrication and a blitz attack nozzle mounted on the front bumper for quick knock down of large fires.
The Chassis is outfitted with an auto lube system to help keep all moving parts on the chassis lubricated. Inside storage for the ground ladder and suction hose will help keep the equipment out of the ravages of weather.
Not too many communities can say that the hometown workforce built their major new fire truck the way South Haven can, thanks to Spencer Manufacturing’s highly successful business venture. The cost for the ladder truck and loose equipment was budgeted out of SHAES capital replacement fund, running $846,400 and took eighteen months to complete.
The 1986 Pierce Telesquirt ladder truck being replaced will continue in service at the Ganges Township Fire Department.
The community will have an opportunity to see the new Ladder up-close during the department’s Fire Safety Fun Night on October 12th, from 5-until-8pm at their Station #3 located at 90 Blue Star Highway.
