STIRLING RESCUE TRUCK 26

The Rescue Truck is the primary response vehicle for roadway accidents, carbon monoxide alarms and confined space rescue.  It is equipped with:

• Will-Burt light tower with 9000 watts of quartz-halogen lights at the top of a 15 foot mast, capable of producing 210,000 lumens.   The mast telescopes and is fully maneuverable using a remote control panel installed at ground level.
• "Jaws of Life" vehicle extraction tools.  These are normally powered by the built-in hydraulic pump, through long hydraulic extension hoses on reels.  Rescue 26 also carries a gasoline-engine driven portable hydraulic pump for use when the "Jaws of Life" must be operated remote from the engine.
• A 25,000 watt on-board generator, which is used to supply power for the light tower and any other 120/240 Volt equipment at the fire scene.
  25,000 watts is 250 100 watt light bulbs or a dozen electric clothes dryers.
• A four-tank, 6000 PSI air cascade system.  This system is used to recharge the air bottles in the individual fire fighter's air-packs, which generally only last about 25 minutes.
• Spare air packs for firefighters.
• A complete set of  armstrong wrecking tools, axes, prybars, chain saw, 'Sawzall', etc. for use in entering and ventilating a burning building.
• Confined space rescue equipment.  (See Mutual Aid below).
• Ventilating fans and portable dewatering pumps.
• Heavy duty inflatable air-bags, for use in lifting heavy objects to release victims trapped underneath.
• A 10 man air conditioned cab.  The cab is used to provide a climate controlled rest area for firefighters who need relief from heat exhaustion, etc. at the scene of a fire.

The Stirling Volunteer Fire Company participates in the Northern Mutual Aid Association.  This is a group of selected fire companies across southern Morris and northern Somerset counties, which are specially equipped and trained to deal with confined space rescue. This might include persons trapped in sewer pipes or catch-basins, manholes, mineshafts, caveins, etc. The special equipment carried for this role includes:

• A tripod and winch for vertical extraction
• Helmets with miner's lights (The normal firefighter's helmets are too bulky for confined spaces.)
• A variety of harnesses, ropes and straps
• A Stokes litter

Rescue 26 was acquired in early 1999, and was the subject of a "Wetdown" ceremony on June 26, 1999, which was attended by 600 people and representatives of over 50 neighboring fire companies.  "Wetdown 99" was a great success, and was fully paid for by mugs, raffles and t-shirts purchased at the event and by donations from business sponsors.

If you or your group would like a tour of this unique vehicle, Email us, and we will try to set up a convenient time.