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Smyrna staff present plan to outfit engines with tailpipe-mounted filters to cut firefighter exposure
Summary
Fire Chief Goss described a proposal to install Ward Diesel tailpipe-mounted particulate-removal systems on apparatus, saying the manufacturer reports roughly 99% particulate removal and the town hopes to equip fleet rather than retrofit stations.
The council heard a staff presentation on equipping Smyrna fire apparatus with tailpipe-mounted diesel particulate removal systems manufactured by Ward Diesel. Fire Chief Goss told the council the department is pursuing measures to reduce firefighter cancer "which is the number 1 killer of our firefighters," and described three capture strategies — station-based direct capture, passive capture and tailpipe-mounted direct capture — recommending the tailpipe-mounted option for continuous protection.
Chief Goss said Smyrna currently has three fire stations without diesel particulate removal systems and that the proposed tailpipe-mounted units "remove 99% of particulates," according to the manufacturer; he added the cost to equip apparatus with tailpipe-mounted units would be comparable to retrofitting a single station with a direct capture installation. Staff said they are pursuing grant opportunities to fund the remainder of the fleet and that filters regenerate with engine regen cycles, reducing maintenance needs.
Council members asked about factory installation and maintenance; Chief Goss said manufacturers can install units at the factory for an upcharge but the town prefers local installation for cost reasons, and that the filters’ life expectancy aligns with the life of the apparatus.
