New Pumper Truck Is Delivered To
The Hampton Fire Department
By Liz Premo
Atlantic News, Thursday, July 5, 2001
Hampton Fire Chief Hank Lipe and Hampton Town Manager James
Barrington pose in front of the shiny new Engine #3 last week.
[Atlantic News Photo by John Hirtle]
The purchase of the 2001 pumper truck had been approved by Hampton voters when it was proposed as an article on the 1999 town warrant. The new truck replaces a current one which dates back to 1973.
The capabilities of the new pumper truck are technologically up-to-date, according to Hampton Fire Chief Hank Lipe. "It will give us a fire truck with modern technology and improved fire fighting and rescue capabilities," said Lipe. The chief added that the newly-acquired apparatus would assist the Hampton fire department "to meet the diverse demands that the 21st century brings" in the area of fighting fires.
The new truck can pump 2000 gallons per minute, as compared with the 1500 GPM capability of the '73 model. It has a 750-gallon reserve tank, and can produce electrical power through its own hydraulic generator. It also features a light tower for night operations, and carries additional tools that can be utilized by emergency personnel responding to automobile accidents.
The pumper is capable of transporting six fire fighters to the scene of a fire. Plus, adds Lipe, "It can carry two times the amount of equipment than the pumper it is replacing." The new truck's many features will aid the department "in meeting our new operating demands," says Lipe, by improving both interior and exterior firefighting capabilities.
The new pumper truck was scheduled to be on public display at the town hall for this week's Monday night meeting of the Hampton Selectmen. According to Lipe, the new pumper "won't be in service until the end of July," due to the fact that "driver training and pump familiarization" will be taking place during that time span.