Adams Fire Co. to host dedication

NORTH TONAWANDA - In honor of its newly leased fire truck, Adams Fire Co., located at 3805 Klemer Road, Town of Wheatfield, will host a dedication and open house to display the 2012 Sutphen Rescue Pumper to the public.

The truck will replace the formerly used 1985 fire truck that, although still viable, is not equipped with as much space or storage as the Sutphen is.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has implemented new standards in the trucks to insure the safety of fire fighters. Some of the standards include adequate seating inside and specific ways to mount equipment. The new truck pumps 2,000 gallons per minute and holds 750 gallons of water. There is more than 400-cubic-feet of storage available for use on the new truck.

“This has been about a two-year project,” said Jim Mihalko, volunteer firefighter. “It went out to bid, we had five bidders on it. We awarded it to Sutphen Corporation, of Columbus, Ohio.”

Members of the fire department made four trips to Ohio while the truck was being built to see the progress.

In the older truck, firefighters responded to the scene while using open seating, which caused them to actually be sitting on the truck with their bodies exposed to the outside. The Sutphen can seat eight comfortably and covered.

“We are hoping this truck will last 20 to 25 years,” said Mihalko. ‘Our next newest truck after this is a 1998.”

The fire department leased the truck for just under $500,000 and has added approximately $50,000 worth of equipment to the truck so far. The fire department is funded by the Town of Wheatfield and only receives a certain amount of money each year. All other funds are gained through fund-raising or private donations.

Adams Fire Co. mans two fire stations. Both the Klemer Road location and the Nash Road Fire Hall at 7113 Nash Road, North Tonawanda.

The open house will be held from 1 to 4 p.m, Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Nash Road Fire Hall, with a dedication taking place at 2 p.m. The public is invited to tour the fire hall and enjoy refreshments afterward.

Father Joe Bayne, chaplain for Erie County Medical Services through the Buffalo Fire Department will lead the ceremony with a dedication and prayer.

For more information, contact Jim Mihalko at 696-2763 or email nysems31@msn.com.