The Jefferson Fire Department recently received a new vehicle.
Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams says the Ultra High Pressure Fire Truck is currently in service with the department. Some of the advantages of the smaller and lighter weight truck is that it takes fewer people to operate the equipment and it carries a substantially less amount of water, but Williams points out it’s been proven that the less amount of water is a benefit.
“With our bigger trucks, we’ll average 3,000-4,000 gallons of water on a house fire. With this truck we can knock it down with 300 gallons or less. So obviously you have less property damage with less water, less risk for the firemen going into the actual structure fire because with the high pressure you can pretty much fight it from outside without having to enter the structure.”
Williams adds, even though the new Chevrolet 3500 pickup truck hasn’t been used in a real fire situation yet, all fire personnel have received training and their feedback has been positive. The City Council previously approved purchasing the $135,000 truck with excess general fund money. Williams notes that their old 1998 equipment hauler truck is currently in the city’s impound lot and they are looking to sell it.