Fire Department takes delivery of new tanker

Saturday at the street festival, the Manchester Township Fire Department showed off their brand new firetruck. The 2016 International truck which had been converted into a fire tanker/pumper by U.S. Tanker company in Wisconsin had been delivered to the Township the day before. This truck will replace one that has been in service since 1989.

The new truck was purchased using an equipment fund contributed to by Freedom, Bridgewater, Sharon, and Manchester Townships. Fire Chief Michael Riesterer stated, "This funding allows us to replace equipment on a regular schedule before major repairs are necessary."

The truck has 475 horsepower and carries 2500 gallons of water, a 3000 gallon portable "drop tank", over 1000 feet of hose and lots of tools and equipment to support fire operations. Riesterer explained the need for large tanks, "Most of the 120 square miles we protect do not have fire hydrants so this tanker will be our main source of water used for fire extinguishment. Insurance underwriters rate your homeowners insurance on our ability to provide water and flow it. This new truck will help us meet those goals and also meet professional standards for fire fighting."

The truck should be in service in a couple of weeks once the equipment is transferred over to it and radios are installed.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.