Engine 44-1 - 2011 Pierce Impel PUC 1500 gpm/1000 gal.

Assigned to respond to “local boxes” including auto accidents, this rig replaced a 1989 Ford F350/Emergency One mini-pumper that now serves the Poquoson (VA) FD. Seating eight (all equipped with portable radios, seven with SCBA), it features a 20 kw diesel generator, 12,900 watts of scene lighting (mounted & portable including a 5,400 watt light tower) and a TFT Crossfire deck gun with 18” riser and 1,250 gpm nozzle. Its’ firefighting complement includes three pre-connects (two 200’ 1-3/4”, one 200’ 2-1/2”), 300’ each of 3” attack line with an automatic nozzle and a Blitzfire portable monitor, two 300’ lays of 1” forestry hose and 1,300’ of 5” LDH supply line. In addition, it also carries a multi-gas detector, thermal imager, RIT pack, chimney kit, assorted ventilation saws, 20 gal. of AFFF foam, a floating strainer, 30’ of 6” suction hose and a five port manifold with 3” Storz adapters. For basic vehicle rescue, it is equipped with a Holmatro combi tool, cordless DeWalt battery powered hand tools (drill driver, reciprocating & circular saws), cribbing, Junk Yard Dog struts, standard & metric toolboxes and BLS equipment including an AED.

Organized in 1911, the Intercourse Fire Co. serves Leacock Township, a primarily Amish farming community that is a popular tourist destination in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Fifty five volunteers (including many members of the Amish community) answer an annual average of 120 alarms in their 15 mile response area. Originally equipped with two 45 gallon Obenchain & Boyer hand drawn chemical engines, Intercourse Fire Co. has been known as pioneers in the Lancaster County volunteer fire service. These accomplishments include the use of high pressure fog in the 1940’s, utilizing the first tanker in 1954 (a converted gas tanker) and in 1997 when placing one of the first large capacity tankers in service (the company has run three tankers since 1954 each with a progressively larger tank & pump). An interesting story from the early days of the company tells of the firefighter who tripped while pulling a hand drawn rig & was run over by the apparatus - he quickly got up & continued following the rig to fight the fire now that’s dedication to duty)!!!

Engine 44-5 - 1990 International/Emergency One 1250 gpm/1000 gal.

This rig was formerly the primary suppression unit for “local boxes” (first due area),until the arrival of a 2011 Pierce PUC 8 man engine. Seating five, this well equipped rig features a 6 KW diesel generator, two 500W scene lights, a NightScan light tower & a top mount/portable 1250 GPM deck gun along with two 200’ 1-3/4” crosslays, 200’ 1-1/2” & 3” rear mounted attack lines, 1,300’ of 5” LDH, 24’ of 6” suction hose as well as drafting equipment (strainers) & a five port manifold. It’s equipment complement includes 6 SCBA with spare cylinders, a thermal imager, gas meter, digital camera, BlitzFire monitor, 18” chainsaw, 16” gas PPV, 10 gallons of AFFF foam, a Pro-Pak foam unit & 38’ of ground ladders.

Tanker 4-4 - 1997 Kenworth/New Lexington 1750 gpm/3500 gal.

Featuring multiple LDH discharges and three extendable electric dump chutes, this rig is set up as a “cushion tanker” supply unit on local boxes and can also be used at a dual dump site. Seating 3, it is equipped with two SCBA with spare cylinders, 32’ of 6” suction hose, a 4,000 gal. “porta-pond”, drafting equipment (strainers) and 49’ of ground ladders including a 35’ extension ladder. When originally delivered, it featured two reels above the pump panel holding 200’ of 1-3/4” attack & 100’ of 4” supply line - having proved troublesome, members of the company fabricated crosslays which hold 200’ of 1-3/4” and 3” attack line as well as 600’ of pre-connected 5” supply line (this is the only rig I have ever photographed that had a 5” pre-connect - definitely “unyque”!!).

Squad 4-4 - 1994 Chevy Kodiak/Emergency One

Entering service in 2002, this former ambulance was modified for personnel transport & traffic control. Equipped with seating for 10, it carries 6 seat mounted SCBA, assorted hand tools & extinguishers, a thermal imager, RIT air pack, chimney kit, command vests, BLS supplies as well as equipment for salvage, water rescue (PFD’s) and traffic control.

Special thanks to Lt. Merv Stoltzfus for the invitation to photograph the new Engine 44-1 and providing background information on the company. Thanks are also extended to Firefighter Sylvan Reihl for positioning the apparatus for photos.