Matawan fire dept. seeks funds for new ladder truck

MATAWAN — Members of the borough Fire Department requested funding for a new aerial platform ladder truck at the Nov. 16 Borough Council meeting.

The department submitted a request to the council and presented a slideshow during the special public portion of the meeting.

A new truck would cost the borough $755,000, according to Chief Martin LiPera of the Matawan Borough Fire Department.

Three recent fires on Main Street, Broad Street and Washington Street prompted the department to submit the proposal and evaluate safety concerns in the area.

"The aerial truck was in service up until August, and now we have taken the truck completely off the road," LiPera said. "I kept the apparatus in service up to that point in August for various other reasons, but after the Washington Street fire, we realized we weren't gaining anything with that, so we took the truck completely out of service. The decision was mine, though I consulted other people."

LiPera explained that all five Matawan borough fire companies, including Washington Engine Company, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, Freneau Fire Company, M.E. Haley Hose Company No. 1 and Midway Hose Company No. 2, are in agreement with the need to replace aging equipment.

The recently retired aerial ladder truck was approximately 19 years old.

"I would have expected a few more years out of that apparatus, but then again, the apparatus ages," LiPera said.

The department currently owns a fourpumper apparatus, two large-diameter hoses, one attack pumper, one foam pumper, one fire police SUV and one chief SUV.

A pumper is another word for engine, according to the Matawan Borough Fire Department. The tasks include fire suppression and water supply.

An aerial ladder is a self-supporting, turntable-mounted, power-operated ladder, which assists in ventilation, search and rescue.

One apparatus, a 1987 Maxim, has had more than 30 years' service and over $25,000 in repairs.

In a report on the status of equipment, LiPera said not all members of the company would be trained to use the new truck, if purchased. A special handpicked or approved group of firefighters will be crosstrained.

Selected members would be trained internally through the borough fire department as well as through the Monmouth County Fire Academy and the state of New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.

In an emergency, the borough fire department currently uses a ladder truck from neighboring towns like Keyport, Aberdeen and Old Bridge.

The average response time to obtain the truck from another town takes 20 to 25 minutes, according to the report.

A fire at a two-story house at 322 Main St. in October then became a topic of discussion. When using outside companies, the borough does not have control over the availability of the truck or possible time delays in responding.

Fire smoke can become lethal in 11 minutes and flames double in size within five minutes, according to the department. LiPera stressed a need for the department's own truck.

"Since the fire on Main Street last month, we've gone from Cliffwood to Cheesequake for aerial truck coverage," LiPera said.

Several council members had questions about the proposal. Councilman Kevin Mendes asked how many years the truck would last if the borough decides to invest in it.

"It's hard to say," LiPera responded. "But I would expect the truck would be fireworthy for 25 years."

The average response time to a fire is three to five minutes in Matawan Borough, with the department's own equipment. The department has 75 active members and 25 responding members.

With the holidays around the corner, fire safety is the top priority.

According to the Division of Fire Safety, part of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), nearly 500 civilians and almost double that number of firefighters sustained injuries in 2008. More than 77 percent of the 83 civilian fatalities occurred in residential occupancies.

All borough fire companies must submit an annual inventory of all equipment on the apparatuses. The reports include updates about the status of air packs, pumpers and facemasks. The studies are overseen by the first assistant fire chief and verified by the audit committee.

Councilman Mike Cannon said after viewing the presentation, he concluded the department would need more than one truck in the future.

"You have some trucks from 1987 that are pushing 22 to 25 years old," Cannon said. "I would like to see that somewhere down the line there actually is a plan to replace the equipment when its life expectancy has run out rather than wait until the whole thing breaks."

The Matawan Borough Fire Department was established in 1905. The department also provides assistance to the Matawan First Aid and Rescue Squad and mutual aid to surrounding communities.

For more information, contact Chief Martin LiPera at 732-978-2108.