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Loudon fire chief reports tower truck out of service, ambulance/EMT staffing gains amid heavy call volume
Summary
Fire Chief Blanchett told selectmen Feb. 5 that a tower truck will not start despite multiple mechanic efforts, one ambulance has exhaust problems, and station septic pump was replaced. The department reported two new EMTs completing national registry testing and two potential lateral hires under consideration to restore full staffing amid high
LOUDON, N.H. — Fire Chief Blanchett told the selectmen Feb. 5 that the department is dealing with multiple equipment and staffing challenges as call volumes have increased.
Apparatus problems: Blanchett said tower 1 returned from mutual-aid service but would not start after a cleaning cycle; local mechanics and contractors worked on the vehicle for several hours without solving the problem. He said the department had also experienced exhaust-code issues with ambulance 1 and that diagnostics were ongoing. Station 2’s septic pump failed but was repaired by a vendor and the station returned to service.
Staffing and certifications: Blanchett reported that live-in student Aaron Silley and firefighter Patrick Starkey both passed National Registry Emergency Medical Technician exams and that the department is processing state licensing. The chief said the department is interviewing a lateral-transfer candidate and will submit a conditional offer to the selectmen if the candidate is acceptable; hiring both the lateral candidate and another conditional hire would return the department to full staffing.
Operational strain: Blanchett described repeated mutual-aid responses in the region, multiple building fires in neighboring towns and the logistical strain caused by turnout-gear cleaning and drying (wash/dry cycles and limited spare gear). He said staffing shortages have caused significant overtime and that station scheduling is strained during a season of colds and flu.
Procurement and maintenance: The chief praised quick vendor response to station door repairs and noted continuing preventive maintenance efforts to keep apparatus operational.
Ending: Blanchett said the department will keep the board updated and will provide paperwork and conditional-offer documentation for any proposed hires.
