West End Volunteer Fire Department builds custom truck to fight wildfires

Members of the West End Volunteer Fire Department don't just volunteer to fight fires, they're also willing to build their own apparatus.

The DeBorgia and Saltese area public safety agency recently converted a flatbed and truck left in its shop into a Type 6 Fire Truck.  

“We’ve had a flatbed and a truck that came from [the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation] and they’ve been in our shop in Saltese for a while,” said Chief Frank Magee. “We said we needed to do something with them, so it went to the board of trustees where $32,000 was asked for, and approved, to build this new Type 6." 

A Type 6 Fire Truck, basically a powerful pickup that carries a water tank, pump, and hose on the back flatbed, is required for wildland firefighting. It is designed to go where a full-size fire truck cannot. The department already has one Type 6 Fire Truck on loan from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Magee has a roster of about 11 volunteer firefighters. And for the first time in many years, every one of them is wildland fire trained -- firefighter II certified. This means that any West End firefighter can respond to a wildland fire when called, which they did last summer for the first time in a decade.

Wildland fire is a general term describing any non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation such as trees, grasses and shrubs. 

Bill Mitchell, who is a West End Volunteer Fire Department team member and handles its insurance claims, was involved in the process of building the new Type 6 Fire Truck. 

“After the board appropriated the funds for the components (some new, some used), the volunteers did the mechanical, body and assembly work. Many of the specialty tools were provided from the volunteers' personal collections,” he said.  

Much of the initial work was done at their shop in Saltese, which is the old Department of Transportation building. 

“We started building it this summer," Magee said. "There was some body damage, and we took out most of the dents. It was tan to begin with and we painted it red to match the other vehicles we have. Once we put the bed on it, we bought the fully self-contained unit for the water, hoses and pump.”  

The finished project proved a real morale boost for the team. 

Magee doesn’t see any reason a Type 6 would be called out for a structure fire as they have a tender and pumper that are sufficient for their needs, so this was an investment for the department. 

“This is for wildland fire fighting only. Having two will allow more resources during the summer to assist on wildland fires,” Magee said.

It can also help bolster the department's coffers. 

Having a Type 6 vehicle with a firefighter II certified crew allows them to be on a fire and receive federal and state financial compensation that can then go to other needs within the department. Magee sees the $32,000 as an investment into his department.  

“That’s the real purpose; to make money for the fire department,” Magee said with a smile.

On Thursday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., the annual Christmas tree lighting at the old DeBorgia School will take place along with caroling, hot cider and coffee with sugary treats for everyone to enjoy. The West End Volunteer Fire Department essentially shares the tree that will be lit up, so department volunteers will be on hand to open the doors and show off their new custom-build Type 6 vehicle to anyone interested.

“We want the taxpayers to see what they are getting for their money. What their tax dollars are going for,” Magee said. “That’s why we hold events at the station like the open houses, chili cookoffs, car shows and so on. It’s to get the people to see what we have and who we are.”