Sussex County Updates

Some news to report on changes on Delmarva specifically Sussex County Delaware. The Delmar VFD recently placed in service a new Spartan "Gladiator", 4-Guys 24-foot walk-around as Rescue 74. This replaces the '99 Pierce that was wrecked back February 18, 2011. The Georgetown VFCo has a new Pierce engine under construction while the Memorial FCo of Slaughter Beach has just ordered a new Pierce "Velocity" engine tanker. They recently opened a No 2 station in Argoes Corner (more on new stations in later posts) The Greenwood VFCo will be the next Sussex County company to run a ladder truck as they recently ordered a Rosenbauer "Commander" with 109-foot "Viper" rear mount aerial outfitted as a quint. (see this at DPCemergency.com) The Millville VFCo just ordered a new E-One Typhoon rescue engine as E 84-1 their '87 PemFab, American Eagle recently sold. (see this at Patriotfireusa.com) The Milton FD is expecting a new Spartan "Metro Star", Rosenbauer for Rescue 85.The Selbyville VFCo has recently ordered as well new Rosenbauer "Commander" with T-Rex 115-foot articulating platform the first on the east coast and also a quint to replace Tower 88. In addition E88-4 their '86 Pierce "Arrow" has gone to Bloxom in Accomack County VA as E6-4.

Wilmington Fireboat 7

Back on July 11, the Wilmington FD of Delaware welcomed their latest marine firefighting vessel. This 2012 Metalcraft Marine "Firestorm 70" is 70-feet in length, has a 12,000-gpm rated pump and 300-gallons of AFFF. It is powered by 4) 825-hp diesels with jet drive. It is titled "The Firefighter" like their previous retrofitted vessel that was retired in February 2012. It was subsequently sold to private owner and last seen on a river in New Jersey. I managed to get some shots of the boat back on a very hot day this July.

For more info and pics visit the Fireboat 7 Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/291305134222472/

B-CC RS The Latest Chapter

This is the latest chapter in the ongoing evolution of rescue squad trucks of the B-CC RS in Montgomery County. On June 22, 2012, their latest squad wagon went in service. This is a 2011 Spartan "Gladiator" with Rescue 1 walk-in 24-foot body. Designated RS 741 (the "alpha" or first out piece aka RS 19) this is their first tandem rear axle and replaces their '94 Simon-Duplex, Saulsbury. Thanks to Jeff Mogush for use of his photo.

OCEAN CITY RENUMBERING

For those out there waiting for this shoe to drop...finally as many have speculated, the Ocean City FD has re-numbered its apparatus. As expected the OCFD now uses a station specific format but with a minor twist. All units now identify on the radio using a "7" prefix with extra sequential number suffixes for 2nd or 3rd out. This differs slightly from the "700" company designation of pre 800 radio system days. A run down of changes follows. The Lower Shore Apparatus Roster available on the storefront has also been updated accordingly.

Engine 1 (old) '01 Saber @ 5 is now Engine 7-5
Engine 1 (new) '11 KME @ HQ is Engine 7-1
Engine 2 (old) '85 Arrow @ HQ a reserve is now Engine 7-1-2
Engine 2 (new) '11 KME @ 2 is Engine 7-2
Engine 3 '05 Dash @ HQ is Engine 7-1-1
Engine 4 '09 KME @ 4 is Engine 7-4
Tower 5 '01 Hurricane @ HQ is Tower 7-1
Tower 6 '97 Hurricane @ 3 is Tower 7-3
Rescue 7 '98 Freightliner '82 Saulsbury @ HQ is Rescue 7-1
Engine 8 '53 Ford, American parade piece @ 4 remains
Engine 9 sold to collector
Snorkel 11 '83 Arrow '66 Pitman @ 5 is Snorkel 7-5
Engine 12 '09 KME @ 3 is Engine 7-3

Brush 15 '86 Chevy @ HQ is Brush 7-1
Rescue 18 @ 5 is Rescue 7-5
Tanker 19 @ 5 is Tanker 7-5
Tanker 20 @ 5 is Tanker 7-5-1
Sp Hazards 23 @ HQ (was at 5) is Sp Hazards 7-1

The Medics use as before the station number w/ "7" prefix and yes Medic 1-1 is now Medic 7-1-1. The utility trucks are thus far the same with "7" prefix (710, 714, 780 etc) as are the chiefs (750, 751 etc). All the KME engines have new number plates (without the 7) on their front bumpers however no other re-lettering has as yet been seen. And yes just as with various localities under the COG fog of the Washington DC Metro, an OC box now brings a lot of "sevens" over the radio. In other news the City Council also just approved an expansion of Station 4 at 130th Street plus roof and facade upgrade to HQ on 15th Street.

Salisbury New Arrivals

Photo from SalisburyFD.com

Photo from SalisburyFD.com

On December 12, the SFD took delivery of their first of three new International "Terra Star" Horton ambos.  This for Medic 1 one of three to replace the three '05 International Medtecs that have pounded their share of  pavement in and around Salisbury. The oldest in the fleet are an '03 Ford, AEV and an '02 Ford , Wheeled Coach that will likely be retired the better of the replaced '05 models as reserves. All of the SFD new arrivals are painted in the SFD's new livery.

 Some new arrivals for the Salisbury FD of Wicomico County. The first on November 21,  2010, is a new Freightliner "M-2" Hackney designated Air Light 1. Equipped with a 40kw PTO generator, 26-cfm compressor and 40 air bottles this presumably replaces Air Light 2 the '95 Chevy, Beaverbilt that ran from Station 2 at Brown and Naylor Streets. This is assumed running from Station 1 on Beaglin Park Drive