Marble Falls Fire Rescue puts new workhorse to use

MARBLE FALLS — Although delivered weeks ago, the newest Marble Falls Fire Rescue engine is now rolling along the streets and responding to calls.

The 2013 Pierce truck, at a cost of $525,000, went into use Jan. 29 and Chief Johnny Caraway said the new model is quite an upgrade over the previous engine.

[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”Photo 1″]Marble Falls Fire Rescue’s newest engine is in service. The 2013 Pierce engine cost the city $525,000 and replaces the department’s 10-year old engine. Staff photo by Jared Fields[/tab] [tab title=”Photo 2″]Marble Falls Fire Rescue’s new engine gives the department more storage space, which can be useful for a variety of calls. The engine also includes a number of new safety features, such as side and rollover air bags, a seatbelt detection system and greater cab visibility. Staff photo by Jared Fields[/tab] [/tabs]

“The truck will enable us to cut our maintenance costs; it’ll be a 10-year engine,” Caraway said. “It’s going to be a good vehicle for us.”

The new engine, though put into service a  week ago, was delivered earlier this year. However, a crack in the power steering cap caused a leak in the fluid that sidelined the engine until it could be fixed.

The previous engine, a 2003 model, will be used in reserve. Caraway said many times the department was short on vehicles so other departments might have been called in to standby.

“Now we have another engine so we won’t have to worry about that,” Caraway said.

The new engine measures 32 feet and 11 inches long, carries 730 gallons of water and 20 gallons of foam while running on a 6-cylinder, 8.9-liter Cummins engine.

The new, black and red engine includes added storage built-in to the body, which Caraway said allows the department to better respond to a variety of calls.

“It’s a larger cab. We’ve got more room, better visibility, side impact airbags, rollover air bags, so if something happens we can keep someone from getting injured,” he said.

“Having all that extra room gives us the ability to carry rope rescue, swift water rescue, auto extrication and the different tools we need on scene. We’re able to carry a lot more on that engine than we were.”

jared@thepicayune.com