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Great Falls Fire Rescue Looking to Replace 40 Year Old "Snorkel" Truck

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Feb 7, 2010 at 6:09 PM MST

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2010 at 11:15 PM MST

It has had a major role in some of the biggest fires Great Falls has ever seen. But after being in service for 40 years, firefighters say one of their oldest trucks needs to be replaced.

With over 107,000 hours of use, firefighters say their "Snorkel" truck has long exceeded it's life expectancy and could jeopardize firefighters. The truck has been pulled out of commission and now the department is looking to buy a new one.

The truck is unusuable and currently sits at the department's training center. The Snorkel truck is crucial in multiple alarm fires in high rise buildings where crews may need to reach someone who is trapped on the top story of a building.

Assistant Fire Cheif Steve Hester says, "It discharges up to 1,000 gallons per minute which will stop the fire from spreading from building to buildings, anything over the 4th floor we can't reach with our ground ladder."

Great Falls Fire Rescue says with its limited staff, a truck like the Snorkel is a must when it comes to executing a rescue more quickly and efficiently. But this truck has long outgrown its lifespan.

They say the truck is out of date and lacks a lot of safety features. Hester says, "It's not just the aerial platform, it's the motor, it's the transmission, the frame, the brakes, the steering. It's got its orginial motor. When it runs now it smokes so bad it creates a haze that you can't imagine."

The risk of failure increases in trucks over 20 years old and firefighters say it's time to replace it if safety is our top concern. Hester notes, "It's the community's truck. It's not mine. This truck is for the community to provide the level of service they expect and deserve. Without this piece of equipment, we can't do a lot of things that they would expect us to do."

A new truck will cost close to a million dollars. Over the next few months, Great Falls Fire Rescue will work with the city to explore different funding options to pay for a new truck, such as applying for a federal grant.

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DUH said on Monday, Feb 8 at 11:28 AM

it's been pulled out of commission. No longer usable.

N8 said on Sunday, Feb 7 at 7:11 PM

I think I saw that truck at the fire Saturday night. Maybe it's only out of service if they are not using it.

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