Maplewood Fire Dept. Hosts Open House on Saturday, June 19

On April 23, the Maplewood Fire Department received delivery of two new pieces of equipment: A new Engine 32 and Tower Ladder 31.

Finally, the department will get to show off the rigs—as well as new thermal imaging equipment—at an open house tomorrow, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The department has spent the last month training firefighters on the new rigs, particularly on the new tower ladder. The department wants the public to understand the benefits of the new equipment, and also wants to thank the Maplewood Lions Club for raising funds for thermal imaging equipment that is used to help find victims in a fire.

According to MFD Captain Joseph Callaghan, the old Ladder 31 truck, purchased in 1999, is being sold. The old Engine 32 will be rechristened as the new Engine 34 and stationed at headquarters on Dunnell Road. The old Engine 34 will be kept as a reserve at Station Two and will become Engine 33. The old Engine 33 will be returned to the Irvington FD—from which it was on loan. Station Two will receive the new Engine 32.

Find all of this confusing? Here's a more simple way to look at it: Two new pieces of equipment are coming in and two old pieces of equipment are going out.

During our visit on April 23, Chief Joseph Richardella noted that the new ladder can not only extend longer (95') but has a bucket at the end of the ladder that can hold four firefighters and be repositioned with the firefighters in the bucket. The old ladder could only support one firefighter and personnel needed to climb down the ladder each time it needed to be repositioned. The new rig will not only be able to reach higher (and further—keep in mind that trucks can not always drive close to areas in need of help) but also work faster and more efficiently.

According to Maplewood CFO Peter Fresulone, the new rescue pumper and the 95' aerial fire apparatus came to $1,457,839. This money was allocated in five capital bond ordinances over four years (Ordinance 2350-06 for $150,000, Ordinance 2397-07 for $175,000, Ordinance 2545-08 for $425,000, Ordinance 2566-08 for $407,839, and Ordinance 2585-09 for $300,000). Said Mayor Vic DeLuca, "We put money in the capital budget each year so that when we needed a new piece of equipment, we would have sufficient funds." The cost of purchase will be somewhat offset by the sale of the old Ladder 31.

Kids are welcome to attend the Open House and lunch from Village Trattoria will be served.