Ronks Fire Co.
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Serving both East Lampeter and Leacock Townships, Ronks Fire Co. provides Fire and Rescue protection to a primarily Amish farming community. Thirty five active volunteers (about 3/4 from the Amish community they serve) respond to an average of 150 alarms including
mutual aid for rapid intervention (their specialty) and heavy rescue to numerous neighboring companies.
Engine 48-2 - 2009 Pierce Arrow XT PUC 1500 gpm/1000 gal.
Operating as a rescue engine, this rig responds first due to all alarms in Ronks "local". Seating six, it features a 25kw generator, NightScan® light tower and a Hurst® Simo pump. For firefighting, it is outfitted with six SCBA with spare cylinders, a RIT pack, three portable master stream devices, four 13’ sections of suction hose and a total of 3,600’ of attack and supply line (ranging from 1” forestry to 5” LDH). For rescue operations, it is equipped with a Hurst® combi-tool
and cutter, 50 ton airbag system, rescue struts, an air chisel, reciprocating saw, 1.5 ton come-along and BLS medical equipment.
Rescue 48 (Retired) - 1997 Pierce Saber
As one of only three heavy rescues in Lancaster County Zone 4, Rescue 48 was equipped for a host of rescue operations including rapid intervention (the company’s specialty). It featured a 25kw PTO generator, 6,000 watt light tower, five reels (electric/air) and a 12,000 pound winch. Its' equipment complement included Hurst® high pressure extrication tools (fixed/portable), airbags, rescue struts, water/rope rescue gear, a hyperthermic plasma cutter, oxy-acetylene cutting torch,
1.5 and 3 ton come-alongs, bottle jacks (5 and 20 ton), air chisels and a total of five saws with wood, metal and concrete cutting blades. For firefighting, it was outfitted with eight SCBA, three RIT bags, two thermal imagers as well as positive and
negative pressure ventilations fans. Replaced in 2017 with a Seagrave two door tandem axle walk-in style heavy rescue, this rig now serves in Berks County as Squad 74 of the emergency response team for the Carpenter Technology plant in Reading.
'Lil Red Wagon 48
Ronks operates a very active Rapid Intervention Team providing mutual aid to ten surrounding companies - due to the rural nature of many of the areas they respond to, their rig is often parked a considerable distance from the fire building. In an effort to “keep their crew fresh”, they assign one firefighter the task of hauling their full complement of RIT equipment to the scene using this wagon (locally built by an Amish woodworker in the community).
Squad 48-1 - 2015 Ford F-550/Knapheide
This rig began the transition away from Ronks long standing (and well known) paint scheme of Gold-over-Maroon. Faced with increased costs when repairing damage, the company opted to return to a traditional Red with Gold stripe color scheme (which also adorns their 2017 Seagrave tandem axle walk-in style heavy rescue).
Air 48 (Retired) - 2001 International/Pierce Encore
Formerly responding as an air bank, this rig was equipped with ten 6,000 PSI cylinders and featured a walk-in compartment with an explosion proof fill station. Its' equipment complement was upgraded in 2010 with the addition of a Hurst® mini-Simo pump powering a combi-tool and two rams (donated by the Lafayette Fire Co.), two 12 ton bottle jacks, three come-alongs and a 10 ton porta-power. For stabilization, it was equipped with large polycarbonate cribbing
(donated by Paradise-Leaman Place Fire Co.), rescue struts and four dozen cribs/wedges.
