Hendricks Township Receives Upgraded 1999 Fire Truck

An upgraded fire truck has now been secured for Hendricks Township, paid for by a $35,000, seven-year loan approved by the township board of trustees in July. The 1999 Pierce truck, which the township received August 28, replaces the department's 1964 truck, which was difficult to repair owing to scarcity of replacement parts.

The new five-person truck can hold 750 gallons of water and has more room to accommodate firefighting equipment, Fire Chief Al Dyer said Thursday, September 13. Self-contained breathing apparatus is built into each seat, meaning less equipment has to be unloaded from the truck when firefighters reach a fire scene.

"I can feel safe, going on a scene, that I am not jeopardizing firefighters," he said. "Our reaction time will be quicker and conditions will be safer. It was a decision of the township board to buy this truck and they made the right decision. We can now provide the service that people expect from a fire department."

A new truck has long been sought by the department to replace its truck that had been in use for 40 years. Hendricks Township asked voters to approve 2.5 mills for five years to purchase fire and rescue equipment in the May 8 election, but the proposal failed.

An agreement reached between Hendricks and Moran townships will supply the truck payment, Chief Dyer said. Hendricks Township firefighters will protect the west end of Moran Township, which does not have its own fire department, while Moran Township will provide $5,000 per year for the augmented service. This payment will be used toward the truck, he said.

It was purchased from Macomb Township.

The Hendricks Township fire department has 13 firefighters.