Newark Rolls Out New Fleet Of Fire Trucks, Public Works Vehicles

NEWARK, NJ — The City of Newark has beefed up its fleet of fire, public works and sanitation vehicles, a move that Mayor Ras Baraka said showcases the municipality’s “improved financial situation.”

On Thursday, Newark officials announced the purchase of 46 new fire, public works, and sanitation vehicles, unveiling some of them - including new aerial ladder fire trucks - at a press conference in front of City Hall.

The new vehicles include:

• 3 new, custom 110-foot aerial ladder fire trucks
• 7 new Haz-Mat fire vehicles
• 11 new sanitation dump trucks
• 9 new street sweepers
• 6 agency vehicles
• 3 Volvo Front-end Loaders
• 2 International Medium Dump trucks
• 3 Chevy Mason Dump Trucks
• 2 Ford Utility Bodies

According to city officials, the new Haz-Mat fire vehicles are chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives capable. They are also equipped with an on-board Panasonic “Toughpad” computer, loaded with the latest Emergency Resource Guide for identifying and addressing hazardous materials. The vehicles are also equipped with a portable radiation detection meter; a cache of Duo-dote injections for first responders—to reverse effects of biological agents that could be used as part of a terrorist attack; the latest mobile communication radios; LED response lights; new low-tone sirens for enhanced safety; and custom-built, slide out storage cabinets featuring a command center to support an Incident Commander and to stow firefighting gear.

The vehicles were purchased using year 2015 and 2016 Urban Area Security Initiative (USAI) federal grant funds at a total cost of $539,000 or $77,000 per vehicle, and at no cost to the municipality, Newark officials stated.

The new custom-made 2018 E-One Metro aluminum aerial ladder trucks, extending 110-feet, are designed to fit in tight urban roadways due to their short jack spread of 11-feet; which facilitates their use on narrow city streets. They also feature a cab with a roll cage to keep a firefighter safe; custom compartments for the storage of specialized equipment; custom emergency lighting and siren package; and additional space for 163-feet of ground ladders to access areas that cannot be reached with the aerial ladder, city officials said.

The ladder trucks were purchased through a capital bond project for a total of $2,059,302 or $686,434 per ladder.

The City of Newark’s Department of Public Works has also purchased 11 new Volvo dump trucks featuring plows and salt spreaders; nine new street sweepers; and six Dodge Journey SEs for agency use.

The five dump trucks and two Utility Bodies are equipped as snow plows and salt spreaders to address winter blizzards, city officials said.

“Acquiring the latest and most effective fire and sanitation technologies goes hand in hand with our work to implement technological advances throughout the City of Newark,” Baraka said. “The deployment of this new equipment underscores progress we’ve made in updating antiquated equipment because of our improved financial situation. It also highlights our commitment to safeguarding our residents and visitors and to appropriately address their direct needs during emergency situations.”

• See related article: Newark Buys Street Sweeper Fleet After 'Many Complaints'

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Photo/Video: City of Newark

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