Council had the pleasure of viewing Middleton Fire Department's new fire pumper/tanker on September 8.
The Middleton Fire Department welcomed a new addition to its fleet, bringing increased versatility, water capacity and firefighting capabilities to the department.
The new apparatus, a combination pumper/tanker, was manufactured by Rocky Mountain Phoenix in partnership with Rosenbauer. It replaces the department’s 1991 engine, which proudly served Middleton and the surrounding area for more than three decades.
Designed to perform multiple roles, the new truck can serve as both a frontline pumper and a tanker. Its four-door, single-axle Freightliner chassis can carry up to five personnel along with 1,500 imperial gallons of water, allowing firefighters and a substantial water supply to arrive together at an emergency scene.
This combination is particularly valuable for rural responses and mutual aid calls, where access to a municipal water supply may be limited and additional water often needs to be transported to the scene.
Built for Versatility
One of the truck’s key features is its Rosenbauer NH pump system, which can operate at both normal and high pressure simultaneously, providing firefighters with greater flexibility depending on the type of response.
The apparatus is also equipped with pump-and-roll capabilities through a direct-drive power take-off system. Unlike traditional fire apparatus that generally need to remain parked while pumping, the new truck can move forward or backward while discharging water.
This capability is particularly useful during brush and wildfire responses, allowing firefighters to move with the apparatus while continuing to apply water.
A remote-controlled monitor mounted on the front of the truck can be operated from inside the cab. This allows crews to begin applying water quickly and can help knock down a fire while additional personnel or mutual aid resources are on their way.
The truck also includes a rear hose reel for quick attacks, in addition to traditional pre-connected hose lines.
Increased Water Capacity
With a capacity of 1,500 imperial gallons, the apparatus can operate as a tanker during incidents requiring a water shuttle. A 10-inch rear dump chute allows its water supply to be discharged quickly into a portable tank at a fire scene before the truck returns to refill.
The chassis is shorter than many comparable fire trucks while providing additional ground clearance, helping the apparatus navigate rural roads and areas where access may be challenging.
The combination of crew capacity, water storage, pumping capabilities and mobility gives the Middleton Fire Department greater flexibility in responding to emergencies within its service area and when providing mutual aid to neighbouring departments.
The Middleton Fire Department will now begin familiarizing and training members on the new apparatus as it prepares to place the truck into active service.
Replacing an engine that served the community for more than 30 years, the new pumper/tanker represents an important investment in the future of fire protection for Middleton and the surrounding area.
