The Merrill Fire Department is finalizing details for the purchase of a new engine that would replace two of their current vehicles.
Battalion Chief Scott Krause says the new rescue pumper would do the job of both an engine and rescue squad vehicle. That would allow the department to sell one, and trade in the other.
It would also mean one less vehicle that the department has to take care of while taking the guesswork out of responding to incidents like car accidents. “If we have an accident and we don’t know if the vehicle is on fire, leaking fluids, or if it needs excretion to get people out. All of that will be in one place instead of two. Hopefully, that will make us more efficient and be better for the city.”
In addition to the added efficiency Krug says the current Engine 61 is approaching 30 years old, which means it’s long past its useful life.
“NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) quotes [engines] for ten years as a front line and ten years as a backup. So, they are due for replacement every 20 years,” he said.