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Fire chief says new rescue apparatus will replace Rescue 2; defends command-vehicle access
Summary
Fire Chief Matt Fischer told the board the department'9s grant-funded vehicle will replace Rescue 2 and described how the command vehicle is stored and accessed; he said most equipment will transfer to the new apparatus but the town will not be buying a transporting ambulance at this time.
Deerfield Fire Chief Matt Fischer told the Select Board the department'9s forthcoming apparatus is intended as a modern replacement for its current Rescue 2 and designed around a grant application, not as an immediate transporting ambulance. “It'9s a replacement for it. It'9s a modern replacement. It'9s not the exact same thing,” Fischer said, adding the RFP was drawn to allow responses from several manufacturers.
Fischer also addressed questions about access to the station'9s command vehicle after a recent brush fire. He said the vehicle is kept secured and under video surveillance and that members can retrieve keys via the Knoxbox system; when he is in town he sometimes keeps the vehicle at his residence but noted others, including Captain Dignard, have used it. “That vehicle never even made it to the Middle Road fire due to lack of personnel,” Fischer said, explaining the department sometimes lacks trained staff to operate every apparatus during multi-unit calls.
On equipment compatibility, Fischer said the new non-transporting vehicle will not accommodate every item now on Rescue 2 but will carry the majority of the EMS kit. “100% of the equipment, no. Majority of it, yes,” he said, adding that converting the unit later to a transporting ambulance would require additional equipment changes and licensing.
Board members discussed whether partial invoicing for Range Road work and grant terminology in the RFP require any administrative clarification.
Next steps: the RFP process will proceed; staff will clarify bid language on the town'9s website and track equipment-transfer needs if a replacement apparatus is purchased.
