Volunteer fire departments in Norwich say they need new equipment

The fire trucks in the Taftville Fire department are well maintained but then again they may have to be.

[@austinconrad1135]

For all the people saying "they look fine" "my truck is older" etc. Please consider what these trucks are used for. If your work truck dies unexpectedly on the side of the road you at worst loose some money and time but you can get it fixed and do whatever it was you were going to do later. If a fire apparatus quits in the middle of a job people could die and/or someone's home could be lost. The stakes are much much much higher. Most of the fire fighters in North America are volunteers (myself included). We just want good equipment to do the job well and I don't see anything wrong with that. We also don't want the pump to die in the middle of a call while our fellow firefighter is on the other end of the line in a burning building. Jump seats inside the truck that we won't end up on the road if we fall out of would be ....a nice touch!

[@suzannalytle2758]

Not to mention Fire departments don't just respond to fires they also respond to medical emergencies.

[@tgs9034]

@@suzannalytle2758 Volunteer departments dont respond to medical emergencies, They normally have paid staff on hand for the EMS calls that go in ambulances but thats about it. My department that im a volunteer for they only go on Lift assist calls and thats normally 1 of the 5 engines on hand to deal with it normally if EMS needs help they just call another ambulance over thats BLS to get 2 more people to do it.

[@bernardschmitt6389]

@@tgs9034 in rural USA they respond to just about anything

[@darthkillerhog]

@@tgs9034 Please dont respond to things you dont know what your talking about every state and county is different so just stay quiet

[@cooltechstuff4387]

You also have to remember Norwich has 4 different fire departments.. basically every call except for medical there are units from a paid staff responding

[@benjaminmckee5041]

I never realized how blessed I am in my department until I see stuff like this. We literally just bought a brand new 2020 engine.

[@znovosad555]

It's something a lot of us volunteer departments struggle with. I'm from Franklin (just outside of Norwich) and I've trained with these guys before from all the Norwich stations. All great guys. Hoping that they get the equipment they need so that they can do the job as safely as possible.

[@chrismanning1746]

I use to live on champion rd in Franklin growing up

[@MrJesse1479]

Do they not get funds from transport fees with ambulance crews?

[@znovosad555]

@@MrJesse1479 so these volunteer stations are fire houses only. only EMS they run is R1 crews in usually a squad pickup truck. EMS in the city transport wise is covered by the private company i work for, American Ambulance.

[@elenamordwinkin3575]

R u located in ny near broom county

[@znovosad555]

@@elenamordwinkin3575 now. CT new london county

[@alexandermakrianis]

That old Pierce is awesome, I hope they keep it as a reserve

[@wcresponder]

Hit up homeland security before it all goes for guns and cop cars.

[@zacharydunn6697]

FEMA grants are lit

[@connorpellegrini1597]

Man I’d kill to serve with a department with vintage trucks like that I love them

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

Same man

[@ffjsb]

Not when LIVES depend on them. It's not a friggin' parade we're talking about here...

[@jaysmith1408]

@@ffjsb there ain’t a damn truck on the road made in the last ten years that runs like a pre 90’s truck. No electronics, no engine issues, they just run and pump like hell.

[@Izak213]

@@jaysmith1408 except safety issues idiot

[@Izak213]

@Threat FN I mean I’m not

[@Tailstraw_xD]

They should take on volunteer city managers. that ought to open up some funding for lifesaving equipment for volunteer lifesavers.

[@scottfoster2487]

How about talking to other departments in the state who may be upgrading.

[@jamestobin4849]

How about allocating funds properly so we don't have firemen in 35 year old trucks period full stop.

[@Casey_Bass]

@@jamestobin4849 it's one thing to comment this indirectly in the comment section, but you were responding to someone that had a plausible and more importantly realistic idea, so shut up

[@jamestobin4849]

@@Casey_Bass you're a fucking moron. It's not realistic for departments to have to coordinate trading around functional equipment. This is like making cops search around for guns that shoot.

[@jamestobin4849]

@@Casey_Bass not to mention fire departments are funded on the city and county level and often have only 1 or 2 stations in the county depending on population. You don't understand logistics whatsoever fuck out of here.

[@Casey_Bass]

@@jamestobin4849 Ah yes the mark of an idiot that been backed into a corner trying to cuss his way out, it's not realistic to assume this department will get any acquisitions funding whatsoever, but it's perfectly realistic to assume they could acquire a 10 year old retiring rig from a larger department, I know because all of my counties VFDs 4 of them, all do it they receive donated rigs from as far as 2 counties over, so stop acting like you understand in intimately whenever you obviously just say something's impossible because it's to far over your head

[@barefooboy17]

When the City Managers house burns down, the town will get a new fleet

[@Wruff]

nothing wrong with that Chevy crew cab

[@ThrottleTherapy094]

Its old.

[@Madman-bb2nc]

@@ThrottleTherapy094 it may be old but my uncles volunteer department has a truck similar to the crew cab for there brush truck and it runs fine and they have modern trucks and everythin

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

That’s a nice squad right there, but Chad 1972 dodge D300 is better than virgin 70s Chevy crew cab for rescue squads

[@louisjones9890]

@@Madman-bb2nc well not all trucks have the same problem

[@bernardschmitt6389]

It could break will responding

[@EJWaido]

All those rig's have finally been replaced 4 years later. But there are multiple volunteer fire station's in the state that need replacement. Volunteer fire department's are always over looked.

[@rickprobst5757]

see this is why these smaller rural volunteer fire departments need to step up and fill out grant funding forms I was a volunteer firefighter in my old home town we had 3 different trucks from 3 different other departments that we're letting them go got em for free got a lot of use out of em but we needed an upgrade Bad so our chief looked into grants about 2 months later we had a Brand new engineengine Brand new tanker Brand new rescue and even a water rescue boat

[@johnrobison4635]

In my hometown one of their fire engines has been in use since 1945, it is still in use as th backup fire engine.

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

Nice

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

I’d kill to roll on a call in that thing

[@Wa3ypx]

Its only a back up until needed, then its a front line piece

[@Demonslayer_1981]

2:30 mark. The truck to the left is a 2018 model pumper-tanker. Looks to me they recently got a new truck.

[@ComradeTomatoTurtle]

If you think firefighters are getting screwed with fire trucks, take a look at the EMS side with ambulances. Every single one at my department is refurbished from an older model and they break down frequently and we’re separated from the fire department so the fire fighters have their own tax and we get boned every year. Hell our central is an old farmhouse with an attached garage from 1964 with a pay crew of 20+ and a volunteer crew breaching 150+ members and 30+ new ones this year alone. We get 300-500 new calls a year with a yearly average now of 4500 calls for a town of 38,000. We only recently got a deal from our local hospital that would match the town 2 million dollars for a new building, the town has been nickel and diming us for decades now and it’s only because of our new department management are we getting even the daily resupply of medical equipment.

[@randyo.bowling1907]

OUR ENGINE at Twin Groves, AR is a 1984, we are tickled as it replaced a 1973 Ford Cabover.

[@robertbrooks7001]

Contact Brooks Fire Service Consulting [e-mail] they specialize in Assisting financially distressed Fire Districts

[@sethpacholko2112]

Ours are 3 trucks total, 1968 GMC pumper a 58 aerotruck Ford tanker and a 88 GMC 3500 rescue truck

[@orangeguys2767]

It’s also not uncommon for a town or city to have multiple volunteer fire companies. My town has 8 and it provides EMS services as well. Every department around here gets over 1000 calls a year with my department being the busiest with almost 2000 a year. A city or a town can’t be covered by just one company as it’s an overload on one company. It’s better to have multiple departments to ensure everyone is safe.

[@krisblaylock6127]

I think the State are to cut the big wags pay checks, and the governs pay check. Are Police,Fire and EMS works can have the proper equipment they need to save are lifes.

[@jefferythornton9850]

yer rite!

[@thomasfitzpatrick4633]

Refurbish some of the trucks that saves on funds

[@bigman10239]

new trucks are safer and more in line with NFPA standards. if these trucks are more than 20 years old they definitely are due. the engines will likely need replacing, and with safety upgrades it would be cheaper to go with new equipment. the maintenance costs will rise over time.

[@ronstrulic4388]

Judging by the age of most of this equipment, it's not cost effective to rehab 30 plus year old apparatus. The cost to bring them up to NFPA standards would more than likely cost as much as New or something used that is 20 to 25 years newer than their apparatus in question. The engine for example. Is 34 years old. Rehabilitation would probably include a new or fabricated 4 door cab. New motor and trans. The pump would have to be upgraded or replaced including the tank. And any body work and rebuilding of the body. Upgraded lighting and emergency lighting and electrical upgrade. This list is extremely costly for a rig you may get another 5 to 10 years out of before the frame rots out.

[@orangeguys2767]

Those rigs need to be replaced. Not only are they outdated and expensive to keep up they are a safety risk and a liability. The new tech us firefighters are dealing with that we need to carry. They sometimes don’t fit in an apparatus of that age. Radios are a great example and new tech is very hard to install in a rig that was made in 1981 and 1986. Pump failure and mechanical failure aren’t out of the picture and can be a nightmare scenario if it happens. Especially if the department is busy. Any department for that matter. That’s the same equipment the new members grandfathers were driving. It doesn’t matter if it still works and still is in good shape. Volunteer departments in alot of cases can get over 3000 calls a year. That’s over 10 calls a day. It really matters on age cause that equipment is a liability.

[@thomasfletcher164]

What about applying for grants ? Should be some to help with replacing equipment

[@kylevieira5320]

Easier said then done unfortunately

[@tomalexander7313]

Pretty sure some of those aren't even up to nfpa code

[@niklas8413]

in Germany, the Volunteer Trucks are usually replaced after 25-30 years

[@roadmaster935]

Never seen a 30 years old Firetruck here.... Except from the THW trucks

[@niklas8413]

doch, im Durchschnit wird in der FFw ein TLF/LF-MTF/ELW 30 jahre benutztoder früher, je nachdem zustand

[@armchairgeneralissimo]

In Bulgaria we still have some communist era ZIL fire trucks these trucks however are being phased out, the big cities seem to be getting brand new MAN and Renault trucks while everywhere else gets what ever used trucks they can buy cheap from Europe

[@josephmoran231]

Bruh, they need to preserve these beauties.

[@JJ-sk1vy]

wait so the city has five different volunteer departments and one paid department to run calls in the city?

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

James Johnson no it’s the county that has 5 depts.

[@ThrottleTherapy094]

Yes the city has 5 vollie depts but theyre are 2 paid depts. One dept in the greenville engine company which runs 2 engines out of greenville

[@ThrottleTherapy094]

@@lindanwfirefighter4973 i really hope your being sarcastic

[@FreedomsNurse]

@@lindanwfirefighter4973 There's no county government in Connecticut.

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

My county does

[@HighOnLife1985]

A mayor to actually come out and say "I'm not sure" when asked if the pieces will be likely to be replaced is an excuse and slap in the face towards the men and women serving and protecting the community..........the SAME community YOU are mayor of. What is worse is that this is a volunteer department. They deserve whatever means necessary to continue to do the job. Should that not hold up, I'm sorry, then a fire department should have some sort of authority to just walk, then when the heat comes down, they can point the finger back to the person who thought "I'm not sure" was the best answer.

[@billyking1827]

If the unit or truck will pass inspection and you know what your doing you will stay safe but back then safety was recorded then if you will think how dangers running in to a burning building and never be recognized by the customer you are serving to pretecket there property then they should to the state that they think its time to improve the departments safety required ment maybe they would kare to give the right of way for the fighters to do there job then they don't need just because the chief say something about a new truck the need and want are very to different because my department has been trying for 9 year now get better fundraiser ing to buy supplies to do there not right but we are a poor county we have a truck even older than your with open jumpseat stop your wanting and find exactly what need is and new firetruck and a new heavy rescue/squad unit isn't a need it's a want sorry to be rood but it a the true wanting and need are two different things you think you need

[@kennithsebert7779]

The fire departments should try for grant money in their state.

[@marylandsirensfirebuff9664]

That 1986 pumper looks nice

[@anmlrsqnj]

If it is all concerning the passenger compartments and seatbelts, they can be retrofitted. American LaFrance did a retrofit on the open cab jumpseats and many departments engines. I agree the apparatus pre-90's were work horses and did the job better than the electronic pumps.

[@Taconephotography]

Squad car still in service in 2024

[@Eric19781]

We would love to have that stuff

[@Sierraomega1991]

This is mental an from the scotland here it would be rare to see engines older than 10 years old except certain low usage specialist stuff

[@john6218att]

i get a laugh out of how out dated the trucks are and all this crap. I hear the same in my dept in the north east part of . this state too .I ve got a small fuel oil business and it contains a 94 International with 256000 miles and an 86 with 311000 miles on it, the trucks are on the road 6 days a week in worst time of the season with salt and what ever they use on the roads . its not like these trucks are putting a 100 miles a day on as mine do and as long as they are in good mechanical shape there isnt much you can't rebuild on them . I'd love to have a new rig too but with todays unstable economy you have to live within your means.

[@B---dw6pz]

I agree as long as the vehicles are EFI and not carbarauted (for response time sake) and in good mechanical order, what's the big point.

[@znovosad555]

john6218att when you have to keep up with certain standards and the old trucks can't keep up its when they need to be replaced. A lot of new equipment that the old trucks can't accommodate.

[@JohnDoe-yq5bd]

Costs more to keep an old apparatus running in a 31 year time span than it would to get a 2004 model to replace it. Your trucks are running fuel these trucks sit, start, have tests done and are back off until a call comes in and require a higher level of safety standards than any normal trucking rig. You comparing your oil rigs to an apparatus is like comparing a 50 year old who smoked and ate mcdonalds all his life whose job it is to be a life guard against the 50 year old who ate clean all his life, did cardio 5 times a week but works a desk job.

[@millrad]

Comparing fire apparatus to oil trucks is apples and oranges. Fire trucks are rated by hours of use and not mileage because they can spend hours idling at fire calls although they are not moving. They must also meet OSHA and NFA standards for safety of the crew and must go through pump and hose testing on a regular basis. Lives are at stake when an engines pump fails. No so when an oil truck's pump fails. Road salt and other grime are washed off after each run to prevent corrision. I bet that's not something you do with your oil trucks.

[@jeffreyhouse8173]

john6218att It's that about usability it's about safety And modernization

[@thomasjsanford4369]

First, why would a town have 5 different fire departments...?? Second, don't they have taxing authority, and a budget for the department(s), so they can put equipment on a schedule for replacement ?? If not, why not, and where does each department's revenue come from ??

[@jbass69goat84]

In NC your property is only considered to be in a "fire district" for the sake of reduced insurance rates if your property is located within a five mile diameter circle of which the station location is the measuring center point. That should answer a single question. There is far from enough room to explain all of the logistics and both state and federal requirements that must be met and maintained for a volunteer fire department to provide said service. I make this statement as a retired twenty year vfd member, the final nine of those as fire chief. Also two consecutive terms as County Firefighter's Association President in which twelve incorporated, one-hundred percent volunteer fire departments were represented.

[@cooltechstuff4387]

It’s based off of population and the funding of the town... the higher the population and size the more fire departments you get. Also Norwich isn’t a rich town

[@schemer1991]

My hometown replaces fire trucks at 20 years old

[@ronaldgibson1274]

Want to have a tour of the fire stations in Norwich

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Insurance rates and fire rating. City budget constraints. This is what happens. But I'm just wondering why now all of a sudden they want to replace all at once? Didn't they have an apparatus committee in past years working on replacing when a rig needed it? Someone wasn't planning....gotta be forward thinking. Course I know nothing of their town, revenue, spending budget, tax base etc etc. Anyone know what happened with these guys? Hope they got something...old stuff looks good tho...

[@linzierogers5024]

Can they afford not to get new equipment? Want to protect your residence from fire then you have get into your pocket. Everything incurs a cost.

[@whotheplayers2644]

Im a volunteer from stroud town ship and my department has a truck over 40 years old

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

Maybe an 80s gmc ambulance styled heavy rescue?

[@davidfirth9342]

Il take any 80s chevy gmc

[@macsdaddy3383]

His sound old equipment is actually in very good looking shape. There are a lot of volunteer dept's in some states which are far, far worse off.

[@realminecraftnub3682]

... i live in victoria, australia. The CFA around my area hasnt had new trucks for 30 years and they dont have any issues with it

[@cooltechstuff4387]

As long as the trucks run and the pumps don’t leak I don’t see a problem...

[@dawsont933]

we have an 88 pierce and it runs 20/10, it's currently a reserve because we got 3 new engines and 2 new trucks (Tillers) and we no longer need it but we keep it around

[@rickfrank7934]

because leaking is the only problem that can occur? Really? You need to open your eyes a little bit.

[@dawsont933]

@@rickfrank7934 what do you mean? If the truck can reliably run, and has all the required equipment leaking is the next biggest

[@cooltechstuff4387]

@@rickfrank7934 not saying it’s the only problem but the pump and the actual running of the truck are the 2 biggest things on a engine

[@rickfrank7934]

@@cooltechstuff4387 I obviously dont know you but here is my take. I ask that you read and chew on this for a bit. It is well known that many of these departments are using outdated equipment and while they do not necessarily always need brand new equipment all the time since gently used equipment can check off most of the boxes these people could absolutely benefit from more updated and safer equipment / facilities. These factors play a significant role in the overall process since these men and women are not paid very much to begin with, and when they are able to preform their jobs safer and reduce the risk of injury and make it easier on them, that makes them more efficient which in turn benefits the local community. It should also be noted that taking care of these firefighters with giving them what they need has a large impact on short and long term morale / retention. I might have missed something but I think I made my point.

[@carlosgaspar-luna1860]

We have two engines in our station one is a 2016 and the others one is a 2000 and we still have an Manuel taker we ain’t complaining about how good it looks if the pump work use it and stop complaining how it looks

[@kylevieira5320]

It's not the looks it's the fact how old it is and the fact it could brake down

[@nicholass5405]

I dont know how but the volunteer department for the town i live replaces the trucks after about 10 years.

[@jeffpitoniak]

If you sell them with relatively new and up to current standards, you get top dollar which you can use as a down payment on new. Like selling a car after 3 years. 4th year, book value starts to drop much faster than in the 1st 3.

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

I’m looking for the port-a-powers ngl

[@carlosgaspar-luna1860]

Alright I’m not saying they need a new engine but gd look at the engine beside the other one that thing is like a 2019 engine we don’t even have that pulse we get a new engine every 10 years and they don’t look new like that one

[@bluebrickstudios1432]

If you're not gonna pay your employees, at least give them decent equipment.

[@calvincrews3885]

They should buy used Fire Apparatuses if they can't afford new fire apparatuses

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

I want to buy them

[@toby.maximillian]

I’m really confused because there is a Nowich City in England

[@luke8264]

A lot of place names in the US originate back to England.

[@cooltechstuff4387]

This is Norwich Connecticut most all of the states in New England have towns labeled after places in England

[@Wa3ypx]

Thats who we're talking about. Couldn't you tell they're Brits by their accents?

[@razvandobos9759]

Use these in case of EMP.

[@legomangamesnetwork1151]

Beautiful old pierce though ngl

[@diannariley4222]

If it worked in the80s IT OUTTA WORK NOW. be thankful for what you got. Government is so wasteful anyhow. Always have to have the toy new

[@darthkillerhog]

Are you fucking stupid? Honestly are you, are you even involved in the emergency services? ITS OLD, OUTDATED, AND BROKE its unsafe to use old equipment fucking idiots like you piss me off

[@ThatDamnPandaKai]

@@darthkillerhog She's probably the kind of person who bitches at Firefighters when she sees them at the store shopping for their dinner and thinks they shouldn't be allowed to leave the station.

[@smittyvidz25fire84]

Because riding in a open cab with little to no protection is the best idea. Not to mention that lotta of the older engine cabs only fitted 5 including the driver and officer. Nowadays most Engines fit 6 if you can get enough to show up. It didn’t work well in the 80s. A lot of FF where killed due to safety of the truck. We should be learning from them

[@smittyvidz25fire84]

We could go back to horses pulling a steam pump. Because they where best option at one point

[@mph5896]

That stuff is well past its prime. Imagine driving around a station wagon from 1986 as your primary car.

[@lukerevealfirephotography9045]

Just buy a used apparatus that’s cheaper and can get many good years of use!!

[@chinookh4713]

yes but to but it new there less of a risk

[@Wa3ypx]

How old we goin Lukey?

[@schemer1991]

How this is department surviving in 2022

[@steveroxxjax]

Look usable to me

[@znovosad555]

Steve Franklin it's about safety and accommodating new equipment. Something these older trucks struggle with

[@rickfrank7934]

Steve Franklin did you even watch the video?

[@barcrrt850]

Steve Franklin The manufacturers no longer make parts for these rigs. Imagine driving a 32 year old car. Not trustworthy.

[@emvvehicles_8]

Zach Novosad they could always retrofit them.

[@darthkillerhog]

@@emvvehicles_8 No they cant

[@alljourney2834]

What I think they should do is combined all Departments to make a larger department and combine vehicles and stuff

[@jorgechiubomberos]

a 1996 pumper and compning, on top is for a volunteer fire dept. they should check ours. for a city of 7 million and our people with one of the highest crime rates in the world. check the video guardian angel of guatemala our trucks are form the 70 is

[@stewl5081]

William Dow is a dean at a college. He has become embroiled in American ongoings because some of his friends refuse to back down. There was a prank in Oklahoma. An adult 18 years old made angry statements. Alexis.

[@user-ro5cp1ro4u]

Hit up FDNY

[@Wa3ypx]

Yeah those trucks are barely used. (Being snarky)

[@itsurboidonnie]

hell yeah, a few billion dollars cut ain't gonna hurt them

[@ThrottleTherapy094]

They're are 2 paid depts. Can't forget greenville

[@overthebridgefiremedia]

I would just put half doors on the “pumper”

[@rubinbrown8142]

So where is all our tax money going?

[@thesuperstoner]

Set shit on fire then say can't get there do to poor equipment bet they get you the money for new shit

[@ffjsb]

A CITY the size of Norwich should have ONE FULL TIME fire dept., not a bunch of hodge podge bunch of volunteer depts. No offense to volunteers, but taxpayers need to properly fund the fire depts that protect them. Hell, the VFD where I live has way better equipment than these VFD's but our taxpayers fund the fire dept.

[@theshadow4292]

This is the ridiculousness of Volunteer Fire Departments. The VFF donate their time but not their expertise in firefighting because they have none and the supposedly protected residents donate their money for what is supposed to be adequate fire protection, but actually have none. Everybody is happy with the arrangement until an actual home or business fire erupts and then the excessive shortcomings of a poorly trained and manned volunteer fire service is exposed for what it is, a farce on the citizens, designed to save the county government money.

[@BiggHoss]

Does it work? yes. No need for replacment

[@IeeIee778]

You'll say that when one of them stalls on the way to a call

[@BiggHoss]

@@IeeIee778 Ohhhh you mean like all those 6.0s and 6.4s? Or the 6.7s that go into limp mode because of the new emission equipment?

[@orangeguys2767]

They don’t use powerstrokes in fire apparatus that size. They use either Cummins, cat or Detroit. Engines that have been known for great quality. Pump failure and worse things worse the rig breaking are major possibilities with age, especially if the rig goes out more than 2 times a week.

[@BiggHoss]

@Leilynd Thornbrugh Again, is it broke? Yes: replace or repair, No? Don't replace

[@LongIslandP8ntball]

Alot of that stuff is better made than todays shit...just refurbish it