The old tanker was destroyed in a devastating fire that ruined the township public works garage in March. Watch video
The Stewartsville Volunteer Fire Co.'s new, $285,000 tanker truck rolled into town for the first time.
The gleaming, 3,000-gallon custom-built pumper-tanker replaces a tanker that was destroyed by fire at the township public works garage in March.
Fire Chief Joe Mecsey III said it will be a few more weeks before the truck is put into service and responds to calls.
Officials will use the truck as a water supply in rural areas in Greenwich and elsewhere in Warren County, Mecsey said. Since March, Greenwich has relied on surrounding communities for tanker truck service and now will finally be able to return the favor. Besides hauling water, the new truck can pump 1,000 gallons a minute.
The volunteer fire company has about 35 members and eight auxiliary members, and several of them stopped by the station Saturday to get a look at the new vehicle, Mecsey said.
It's on a Freightliner chassis and was built by Pierce Manufacturing Inc. in Bradenton, Florida. The new truck is owned by the township and was purchased through insurance, said Mecsey, who is also the township's superintendent of public works.
The tanker-pumper is one of four firefighting vehicles used in Greenwich, accompanying two other pumpers that carry 1,000 gallons each and a 100-foot aerial platform truck.
Mecsey, in his 23rd year as chief, said the goal is to have it equipped and manned by the end of the month.
"We have driver training and operations training, and we still have to get equipment on it," he said. "Today we'll go through a checklist and review warranty forms.
"The guys here are opening cabinets and taking a good look at it. We'll do a little driver training today just so they get a feel for it and we can hit the ground running by the end of October."
Tree cutter severely hurt by power line
The March 1 fire devastated the township's vehicle fleet. In addition to the tanker truck that was stored there, the township lost two 10-ton plow/salt trucks, a new front loader, five pickup trucks and sidewalk equipment.
Officials ruled the fire was accidental, sparked by an electric heater, he said.
Once in service, the new truck will be stored in a bay at the main township building next to the fire station on Greenwich Street. Ultimately, the fire company plans to build a new station on land it owns about a quarter-mile away on Greenwich Street.
The township has yet to rebuild the garage ruined by fire. Demolishing the remains and replacing lost equipment took precedence, Mecsey said. Delivery of a new plow and salt truck is expected by Nov. 1.
A new garage likely won't be built until after the winter, he said.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.