Union Township's New $8,000 Fire Truck 1930

Union Township's New $8,000 Fire Truck Last word in Modern Equipment.

Every Precuation Take to Give Prompt and Sure Protection

Pumps 700 Gallons Of Water Per Min.

Community Will be Relieved to Know That it Has Truck That Can Make Real Speed

The new community fire truck had arrived in all its red and nickel plated glory and Culver and Union township has the protection of th finest and latest in fire equipment.

The ear splitting wail of the motor driven siren Monday morning announced the arrival of the much anticipated truck and a detailed inspection was made by the fire department members and other intersted citizens.

The fire depatmenr realized that it faced a new problem - that of housing the apparatus as it is too long for the present quarters.

The old truck will be left in its present location and the new truck will be placed where the small township truck was kept, but first some partitions must come out.

The truck was manufactured by the General Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis, with a six cylinder Buda motor It's weight 6,900 pounds and counting the 1,000 pounds of hose.

The total cost was about $8,000

"What can it do?" is the main question in every citizen's mind. The truck can deliver 700 gallons of water per minute and throw two one inch streams 200 feet with a pressure of 150 pounds. Three hose lines can be run from the pumper. It has a driving speed of from 60 to 65 miles an hour.

Several new features are included on the truck, one of the outstanding ones being the use of a booster tank instead of chemicals. The two main advantages of this tank being that it can be refilled while in used and that the absence of chemical save furnishing, furniture and walls. Wiiiith a chemical tank the unused chemicls had to be discharged and a new supply put in, but now only water is added to fill up the tank.

This booster tank also makes th truck of mor value to fires in the country where the water supply can not be reached directly. The tank holds 100 gallons and is connected with 200 feet of hose.

Time and saftey have been factors in building the truck. Dual ignition, one from the battery and the other from the megneto, prevents the pumper stopping due to engine trouble from the cause. An overheated engine is prevented by two moto-meters, one on the dahs to be used when driving and the other pm the engine when it can be seen while pumping water. Cold water handicaps are checked by the use of a Pine's Winterfront with automatic control and a circulation of the warm water through the pumping parts so that they won't be frozen when needed.

Several minutes will be saved by having the suction hose coupled to the engie. This hose is ready to be dropped into aq body of water and start pumpinf at once. This hose measures 20 feet, and two more units of ten feet each can be added if needed to reach the source of supply

The firemen were relieved to know that the truck has a self-starter.

Two hand fire extinguishers are carred, one of a special preparation for fighting gasoline and oil fires. Two search lights are on the truck, one to aid in driving and the other at the fire. The latter throws rays a half mile. A siren and bell are ready to warn of the truck's approach. Other accessories include buckets, several different rypes of nozzles, ten foot pike pole, 12 foot folding ladder, 12 foot ladder, 29 foot extension ladder, rubber coats, bubber hats, rubber boots, two hand electric searchlights and the usual axes.

This outfit gives the community one of the finest fire fighters in the county and any town this size in the state.

The lion's share of credit belongs to Harvey G. Shafer and Roy Swigart, who saw the need of such a truck and planned the campaign for raising the funds. They spent many hours securing the pledges and collecting the money.

They are grateful to the community, Township trustee John E. Dennie, who turned in the old township truck and others for their hearty response.

All will receive their reward in better fire protectionand lower fire insurance rates. - Apr 1930