Cranberry Township is giving Seneca Volunteer Fire Department $100,000 toward the purchase of a new fire rescue truck.
The move came after a plea from Fire Chief Paul Marsh at a supervisors meeting Thursday. Half the money – $50,000 – will come out of this year’s general fund and half will come from next year’s.
The township’s portion will cover about one-fifth of the purchase price of a new fire rig, and the volunteer fire company will make up the rest.
Marsh outlined the department’s need for a new vehicle in a letter he read to the supervisors.
The fire company’s current rescue truck doesn’t meet its future needs, Marsh said.
“We have outgrown the vehicle with the amount of equipment that we carry,” he said.
Logistical problems exist with the current truck, as well, Marsh went on to say. The rescue rig has a two-man cab and a four-person rear box that requires fire personnel to sit sideways in the back. Members who sit in the rear compartment only have a lap belt for safety, not a shoulder strap. Plus, sitting sideways makes some crew members carsick, he said.
Fred Buckholtz, supervisors chairman and a volunteer fireman, said he could see how sitting sideways in such a vehicle would produce motion sickness.
“The new truck will be able to carry more equipment and will have a standard seating layout for safety of the members,” Marsh read from his letter.
“This apparatus will be used to better protect the residents and visitors of Cranberry Township, as well as render mutual aid when needed,” Marsh said.
In further comments, Marsh said the fire company’s current vehicle is 13 years old. It hopes to get 20 to 30 years of use out of a new truck, he said.
Supervisor Jerry Brosius commended Marsh and the fire company for coming up with $400,000 on their own.
After the meeting, Marsh said the department is prudent with its funds and has some savings that it will put toward the new vehicle. Ongoing fundraisers, such as the beef raffle that is going on now, also help.
Anyone who wishes to help the fire company raise money toward its new truck may call 676-1305 to make a donation.
“Every thousand helps,” Marsh said.
In another heavy equipment purchase, supervisors voted to put $45,000 toward the purchase of a used street sweeper after a report from road Supervisor Ted Williams.
The money will come out of next year’s general fund budget. The township’s current sweeper needs work and money is being spent on its repair.
“It probably is a good investment,” Supervisor Harold Best said. The township’s current street sweeper will be sold.
