OFD adds a new fire truck to its fleet, thanks to the Wagner estate
?Paul.? That is the name that appears across the top of the windshield of the Onaway Fire Department?s first new fire truck in 20 years. It is a tribute to the late Paul Wagner of Black Lake, who made a quiet impact on the community before his death, but continues to make lasting contributions to Onaway and the surrounding area since his passing.
Shortly after Wagners passing, Linda Webster, who served a caregiver for the Wagner?s, visited fire chief Eric Rose at his cottage on Black Lake. She wanted to tell him of the gift Paul and Mae Wagner had left the department. Rose was on a ladder, so Webster told him to hold on because the news might rattle him a little.
THE WAGNERS left $128,000 for the OFD to be used for the purchase of a new fire truck.
The money was placed into a time CD account to gain interest. By the time it was time to order the truck, nearly the entire purchase price of $137,400 was reached.
That meant: No Loan. No interest. No monthly payments.
There would be one check handed over to the manufacturer and the deal would be done. Rose could not be more grateful to the Wagners. He is pleased that they would fill such an important need.
It also is a burden lifted from taxpayers who might have been asked to support a millage proposal at some point in the future to update an antiquated fleet.
The newest piece of equipment, while extremely reliable, was purchased in 1985. To have Mr. Wagner?s first name appear across the top of the windshield was Rose?s idea. ?I just wanted to honor Mr. Wagner,? said Rose. The Wagners also donated $10,000 to help construct offices at the fire hall.
The fire department has placed a plaque on the shiny new piece of equipment. It states, ?Donated and purchased in memory of Paul and Mae Wagner ? 2006.?
THE TRUCK ?has been a big boost in morale,? said Rose. ?We owe them a lot.? Captain Dave Kolasa said, ?I?m elated ? we?ve been struggling with what we had.?
The truck was picked up in late June in Greenville, and made its first public appearance at the Fourth of July parade earlier this month.
Officials had to wait for the manufacturer to build the truck. The company waits until they have five orders before building the unit, which saved the OFD further money.
If the truck had not been driven from South Dakota to Michigan, the speedometer would have lower mileage than the 1,371 miles it has on it. The new truck still has not gone out on its first fire run.
It has many features, other OFD fire trucks do not have. The 2006 Crimson International has a 1,500 a gallon per minute pumping capacity, compared to 1,000-gallons a minute for the 1985 truck. The new truck also holds 1,145 gallons of water, which is an improvement of about 150 gallons.
WHILE STANDARD on all new units, a top mounted control panel will be a new safety feature. Kolasa said it will be an advantage having someone at the control panel be able to see on both sides of the truck, compared to having it on the side.
The side storage doors smoothly glide up, compared to the flip out doors that they have been using, and which caused an injury to a firefighter during a critical time of a blaze.
The truck is still being outfitted, and additional training is still needed. The truck should be easier to drive, as it is an automatic.
Another accessory purchased by the 18 members of the volunteer force will hopefully prevent the freeze up of valves and equipment on those subzero nights, when most of the area?s serious structure fires occur. They bought a pump house heater at a cost of $2,800.
DURING THE response to a structure fire one winter night, the v
The new truck also may improve the Insurance Services Organization rating, currently at seven, said Rose. Home insurance in the area could see a drop in rates if the ISO brings the number down.
With the new equipment, Kolasa believes ?our attack will be quicker.? The OFD now has three active pumpers (2006, 1985, 1975), plus a 1937 pumper that appears in parades, but can be used if the department finds itself in a pinch, which occurred once when they had to three fires at the same time.
For now, fire fighters will keep the dust from the shiny candy apple red finish, and hope the speedometer mileage never changes, but yet in realistic terms, know that that will never happen. The day is coming, and the OFD will be better equipped to fight the next blaze, thanks to the Wagners.