Guthrie Fire Department to purchase used rescue pumper to replace aging Rescue 1

The Guthrie Fire Department will add a new piece of equipment to its emergency response fleet after the Guthrie City Council approved the purchase of a used rescue pumper designed to improve fire suppression and rescue capabilities across the community.

During the July 7 city council meeting, council members approved the purchase of a 2013 E-ONE Typhoon Pumper from Garage Technologies, Inc. for $170,000. The council also approved temporarily suspending the city’s purchasing policy requirement due to the unusual, one-time nature of the purchase.

The new apparatus will replace the department’s current Rescue 1, a 2000 International single-cab rescue truck with approximately 50,000 miles. According to Fire Chief Dane Lausen, while the current vehicle received a rebuilt engine approximately two years ago, it has continued to experience significant mechanical problems, including oil leaks and failed O-rings requiring additional repairs.

The department determined the aging rescue truck has reached the end of its reliable service life, making continued repairs impractical and not cost-effective.

The 2013 E-ONE Typhoon Pumper will provide several operational improvements for the fire department. The vehicle is equipped with a 750-gallon water tank, allowing firefighters to immediately begin suppressing vehicle fires at motor vehicle accidents while also carrying the rescue equipment needed for technical rescue operations.

The apparatus will also provide additional flexibility for the department by serving as a primary fire engine for Station 2 when needed. Officials said the added capability will improve response options, maximize available resources, and enhance emergency services throughout Guthrie and the surrounding response district.

“The addition of this apparatus will allow us to better utilize our resources while providing a safer and more effective response to emergencies,” the department stated in its request to the council.