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Peletier fire chief warns ambulance delivery delays and tanker pump programming issues
Summary
West Carrick Fire & EMS reported an increase in August calls, said a new ambulance’s delivery was delayed to October, and described a 2,500-gallon tanker that can dump but not pump water because a transmission-control module was not programmed correctly.
Chief Peniel gave the West Carrick Fire & EMS monthly report, saying the district responded to 188 calls in August—about a 12.6% increase from last year—with 19 EMS calls and multiple fire-inspection activities in the Peletier area.
Peniel said the ambulance the district ordered two years ago is now scheduled for delivery around October after prior pushbacks; he warned that ordering and delivery timelines for custom emergency apparatus can take several years.
The chief also described a 2,500-gallon tanker the department inherited that currently can only dump water; a transmission-control module replacement with incorrect programming prevents the pump from engaging. Peniel said crews are exploring two options: installing an electronic bypass switch to engage the PTO for the pump or cloning correct programming from a sister truck at a depot. He said tankers are still useful even without an operable pump because they can transport and dump water in many incidents.
Commissioners asked about the district’s schedule for specifying and ordering future apparatus and about the condition of protective turnout gear; Peniel said federal standards and manufacturing practices have constrained inventory and led to longer lead times for both vehicles and gear.
No procurement vote was taken; the board received the report and commissioners encouraged staff to continue working on fixes and to update the board on timeline and costs when available.
