Milton Welcomes First Three New Fire Engines

Vehicles feature distinctive color scheme, latest technology

Not only does the City of Milton have some of the newest, most technologically advanced public safety vehicles in the state, one could also make the case that it has the best-looking fleet.On May 4, the city took delivery of three custom-built Pierce Enforcer pumper trucks. The fire engines feature a unique black-over-red color scheme along with Milton’s racing horse icon prominently displayed on the sides. Most engines are all red or a white-over-red combination, department officials note. The engines, manufactured in Appleton, Wis., are the first of four trucks that will form the foundation of the new city’s fire operation, which deploys May 18.Purchased through Ten-8 Fire Apparatus of Forsyth, Ga. at a cost of approximately $400,000 each, the trucks were built to meet Milton’s specific needs.

Among the unique characteristics are:

A 750-gallon water capacity vs. normal 500 gallons
A shorter wheelbase enabling the vehicles to get into, get out of and turn around in tight spaces; and Each is equipped with two chainsaws, enabling Milton firefighters to better combat brush fires as well as allowing them to assist in storm cleanup and other duties.

The trucks all feature a full complement of fire suppression, extrication, safety and medical equipment and outfitted with the latest technology including in-vehicle laptop computers, thermal imaging cameras, gas detection instruments and LED lighting systems.The engines were driven from Appleton to Forsyth, where they were outfitted with hoses and all other equipment before driven on to Milton. Milton’s fire operations also will include a 2007 Pierce Dash ladder truck, known as a “quint,” that includes a 75-foot articulating aerial ladder, and a 2008 Ford F250 4X4 extended-bed wildland/brush truck that features a 300-foot forestry hose and 100-gallon water tank. These vehicles are expected to be delivered within the next several weeks.The fire vehicles join the city’s 18 black Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors with their distinctive red, gray and white graphics, which began patrolling the streets of Milton May 1.

The trucks make their first public appearance May 5 at a fund-raiser “muster” hosted by the City of Roswell Fire Department. The event is being held at the intersection of Holcomb Bridge Road and Alpharetta Highway (S.R. 9).Mayor Joe Lockwood will swear in the city’s 40 firefighters in a ceremony starting at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11. The men and women are currently undergoing a two-week training period that includes getting familiar with the equipment they will be using, practicing such skills as arson detection, drafting operations and extrication techniques, emergency medical services training, and familiarizing themselves with the city overall.