Training in the Rain

September 29, 2016

Queenstown Volunteer Fire Department shared a post.

4 days ago

While the Chief and other members were in Wisconsin doing the final inspection on our new rescue, this writer was contacted by the Assistant Chief of the Allen Volunteer Fire Department in North Carolina, expressing interest in our current rescue. Once the members returned, contact was made with that department, which began a discussion, and ultimately set up a time for each department to meet face to face. A group of members from the Allen Volunteer Fire Department made the 7 hour trek to Queenstown. After negotiating a price, a careful inspection of the rescue, and based on a favorable vote by our Board of Directors and general membership, we sold Rescue 3 to the Allen Volunteer Fire Department. We are sad to see her go, but we also know that she has plenty of good years ahead and will definitely be an asset in her new home in North Carolina.Over the past few years we have been working to update and add rescue equipment to better handle vehicle extrications and other rescue calls. After a serious accident in 2017 that involved a concrete truck rolling over on top of a car on the edge of our fire district, the officers and members decided that we needed to begin working towards becoming a NC state certified Heavy Rescue provider to better serve our community. This would also involve obtaining a bigger rescue truck to be able to carry the needed equipment. After a lengthy search, a truck that we believed would fit our needs perfectly was located in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. A group of officers and board members left out early yesterday morning to travel to Queenstown to inspect the truck. After a very detailed inspection and also road and operational tests, a deal was reached and the truck committee left out to bring the truck home. After a long 7 hour drive we are very proud to say “Heavy Rescue 11” just arrived at her new home at AVFD! The truck is a 1993 Pierce Lance with a Pierce heavy duty rescue body. It is equipped with a 35 kw PTO generator, 35’ WilBurt light tower, 3 Hurst hydraulic tool reels, a 6 bottle cascade system, and many other great features. It began its life at Elsmere Fire Company No.1 as Rescue 16 where it served from 1993-2003. Queenstown Volunteer Fire Department purchased the truck in 2003 and ran it as Heavy Rescue 3 until yesterday when we purchased it. Both departments did an outstanding job of keeping the truck in top condition. Over the next few weeks we will begin working to get the truck ready for service at AVFD. We would like to thank our community and our Board of Directors for making this possible! Stay tuned for more updates! ... See MoreSee Less