The Marietta Fire Department Gets A New Vehicle

MARIETTA, OH — With the City of Marietta upgrading its vehicle fleet, it's now the fire department's turn. Yesterday, the Marietta Fire Department got a new utility truck. This is part of a larger move to replace the outdated and aging vehicles they've been using for years.

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Fire Chief C.W. Durham said replaces one that has been there for 17-years. "We're going to set this up as our inspector's vehicle. We'll be able to haul around the inspection and investigation equipment." He says this truck is specially equipped to be able to haul bigger equipment like hoses or tanks from a scene. "We tried to make it as multi-purposed as possible." The inspector's truck also has tow capabilities so it can tow things like fire trailers.

The fire department has been making do with, and preserving the vehicles they've had for years, but Chief Durham says it was time for an upgrade. "We try and take care of the equipment that we have, the equipment issued by the city and citizens of Marietta, but at a point, it becomes necessary to replace just because of emergency response." He says just like anyone else, the equipment they use for their job has to be dependable.

The Marietta Fire Department is going to get its hands on a new Ford F-350 soon. "That will replace a Ford Taurus we've had." He said this one is big for the department. "This fleet vehicle will be able to pull our boat and our larger trailers around so we have that ability."

Durham says these new vehicles are going to benefit the people of Marietta. "That's another response vehicle that we can get, whether it's a confined space trailer, whether it's a boat rescue, any of that ability we have to haul." Both vehicles have towing ability, but the F-350 will have the serious power to move bigger fire department equipment.

The department also has a 2002 ambulance that's to be replaced soon. "Administration and counsel have already approved for us, and we've put in the purchase request." He says that will likely get taken care of next year.

Durham says the department is working on rehabbing the fire department's buildings right now. "We've got some painting going on at all three stations." He says two of the stations haven't seen much painting for too long. "We're looking forward to getting a fresh coat of paint and taking care of what we have, maintaining it. We feel it's our responsibility, if we're entrusted by the city to have it, we need to take care of it."

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