Lower Swatara VFD
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Organized in 1956, the Lower Swatara Fire Department provides Fire and Rescue protection to Lower Swatara as well as sections of Londonderry, Middletown and High Spire. Forty active volunteers including live-in members respond annually to 600 alarms.
Dauphin County Station 59
From humble beginnings in 1958 with their original firehouse which was considered for expansion several times over the years, the department transferred operations in 2008 to this modern station. Featuring six bays including several drive through, it also has living quarters specifically designed for the live-in members attending local colleges.
Engine 59 - 2012 Ferrara Intruder II 1500 gpm/500 gal./CAFS/20A/30B foam
Operating as the primary attack engine, this rig replaced a 1998 Seagrave 2000/750 engine that held the distinction of being the first Compressed Air Foam System equipped engine in Dauphin County. The former rig featured two deck guns and a Conestoga wagon style hosebed cover. Retired in 2017, that rig continues to serve in Dauphin County as Engine 24 with the Liberty Hose Co#1 of Williamstown.
Tanker 59 - 2018 Pierce Enforcer 1500 gpm/2500 gal.
This rig replaced a 1993 Mack RD/4 Guys 500/2500 tanker that now responds first due with the Steelton, Missouri VFD. Featuring a 200' booster reel, it is equipped with a 3,000 gallon folding tank, 500 gpm portable pump, four pre-connected handlines, a pre-connected Blitzfire® monitor and 1,200' of 5" LDH supply line. With Lower Swatara’s response area being largely hydranted, this rig is assigned second due for vehicle fires on highways.
Rescue 59 - 2014 Ferrara
Acquired with the assistance of a Dauphin County Gaming Commission grant, Rescue 59 replaced a well worn (and well known) 1975 Mack CF/1990 Ranger walk-in style heavy rescue that saw over 35 years of active service. The current apparatus features a tandem axle walk-around style rescue body complete with an 80kw PTO generator, a 15,000 lb. vehicle mounted winch and two Amkus® Simo pumps supplying power to four pre-connected extrication tools.
The former Rescue 59 began life as a Mack pumper built for the FDNY originally serving during “The War Years” in the South Bronx section as Engine 82, the company made famous by the classic fire service novel “Report from Engine Co. 82” written by Dennis Smith
(who actually rode the rig for a short while before being transferred). Later serving as Engine 238 and Reserve Engine 511, it was purchased by the Progress Fire Co. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where it operated for two months before the company decided it did
not meet their needs. Lower Swatara then acquired the rig and had Interstate Mack refurbish the cab and extend the chassis upon which Ranger Fire Apparatus built a 20’ aluminum walk-in rescue body. After over 35 years of active front line service, the rig was then
sold to a fire department in Kentucky solely for the purpose of the equipment it was outfitted with (generator, numerous hand and power tools). Having never entered service with that department, it has been sold among several collectors and is currently privately
owned in New York.
Utility 59 - 2015 Ford F550/Polybilt
Having replaced a trailer carrying both inflatable and rigid flat bottom rescue boats, Utility 59 is the primary tow vehicle for the department's Rockproof® rescue boat featuring an inboard jet motor. Outfitted with a rigid inflatable boat carried topside, it is equipped with water rescue gear and BLS medical equipment.
Boat 59 - 2015 Rock Proof Boats
Equipped with a 200HP Mercury inboard jet motor, this style of boat while designed primarily for fishing has been adopted by several fire departments in Pennsylvania due to its' ability to operate in very shallow water
(the Delaware Valley Fire Co. in Bucks County operates one of the very first units custom built for rescue operations). It is outfitted with a custom lighting package and Stokes basket mounted in a bracket on the rear deck.