New Fire Apparatus Dedicated in "Wet Down Ceremony"

The Vernon Fire Department dedicated its three new trucks on Sunday in a traditional "Wet Down" ceremony.

Check out the highlights of the event in pictures.

Rocky Hill-based Firematic Supply Inc. has offered descriptions of the apparatus:

HDR [Heavy Duty Rescue] Rescue 141

• 2012 Pierce Velocity Chassis.
• 70-inch Cab with 22-inch raised roof.
• Frontal Air Bags for driver and officer.
• Detroit Diesel DD13, 500 H.P. engine.
• Allison 4000 Series transmission.
• 26-inch extended front bumper with two Hurst 100-foot hydraulic hose reels.
• 9,000-pounf Warn portable winch.
• 19.5-foot Pierce aluminum HDR rescue body with Hatch compartments.
• Aluminum retractable stairway for upper body access.
• Gortite painted roll-up doors.
• Two Hurst power supplies with one Hurst 100-foot hydraulic hose reel. mounted in body.
• 35 KW Onan PTO generator.
• 9,000-watt Wilburt Night Scan light tower.
• Whelen 12 Volt LED Scene Lighting
• Whelen LED emergency lighting.
• Power call electronic siren.
• Federal Q2B mechanical siren.
• Grover air horns.

Two Custom Pumpers ET 141 and ET 541

• 2012 Pierce velocity chassis.
• 70-inch cab with a raised roof.
• Frontal Air Bags for driver and officer.
• Detroit Diesel DD13, 500 H.P. engine.
• Allison 4000 Series transmission.
• 19-inch extended front bumper with front bumper discharge.
• Pierce aluminum 2nd Gen top mount body.
• 1,500 GPM Two Stage Hale QMAX Pump
• 1,000-gallon UPF poly tank.
• Elkhart Eductor Foam System with 30-gallon foam cell.
• Whelen 12-volt LED scene lighting.
• Whelen LED emergency lighting.
• Power Call electronic siren.
• Federal Q2B mechanical siren
• Grover air horns

Firematic was the sole bidder.

The pumpers cost $493,254 and the rescue truck a dollar less, according to Town Council records. All three carry annual lease-purchase payments of $65,000. according to Town Council documents.

They are replacing a 1989 pumper, a 1990 pumper and a 1985 rescue vehicle.

The 1989 pumper went to a good home -  the Bowman Community Fire Department in Texas, where it will lend a hand in fighting the often-nasty brush fires that can break out there.

Because of the transaction, the Bowman and Vernon departments have forged a new friendship.

The new trucks have been assigned to Prospect Street and Station 1.