Smithtown FD Adds Special Rescue Operations Vehicle To Fleet

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Smithtown Fire Department put a new special rescue operations vehicle into service in February, the department announced Wednesday. The Ford F550 chassis, equipped with a Maintainer Custom Bodies box, is designated unit number 4-2-19 and will primarily be used for water and ice rescue operations.

The vehicle contains a 13.5-foot Avon Web inflatable boat. With its small-packaged style, it can be carried to difficult-to-reach areas to be inflated and deployed within a minute. The boat pairs with a Honda 15Hp 4 Stroke Motor, also stored on the vehicle, which has a lift system that ensures safe storage and rapid deployment for alarms.

The four-wheel drive vehicle also contains Fire Research telescoping lights and a 1200 pound winch to allow for operations within Caleb Smith State Park, Blydenburgh County Park and various other wooded areas of the fire district.

The fire department says the new vehicle will allow a more "seamless response" to alarms.

"With an increasing number of alarms relating to water emergencies, this vehicle better equips our response to these types of alarms," Chief of Department Kevin Fitzpatrick said via news release.

The following additional equipment will be held on the vehicle:

• Mustang ice and water rescue suits
• Mark 7 ice rescue sled
• Rope reel for tag lines
• Ice rescue sling
• Assorted cribbing and shoring equipment
• Three (3) Scott 4500 self-contained breathing apparatus
• Forcible entry equipment
• Portable ventilation fan