Greensburg orders new Seagrave fire truck

The Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department will soon have a new fire truck, replacing a 25-year-old apparatus at the city’s Hose Co. No. 6.

Council members on Monday unanimously approved the purchase of a Seagrave model TB50CT Marauder Pumper for $779,114.

“It’s a better truck all around, something that definitely we needed,” said Greensburg fire Chief Tom Bell, while praising the city for maintaining equipment over the years.

According to Bell, the new truck was designed with safety in mind. A lower bed in the back means firefighters will not need to climb on top of the truck to reload the hose, as well as a quieter cab, making it easier to hear calls over the radio. In addition, it will have a 1,500 gallon per minute pump.

The truck will be ready in 18 months, and city plans to utilize funds from an almost $1.1 million loan to pay for it.

The loan was finalized in February with the goal of bolstering funds dedicated the public safety that traditionally came from the now-closed J. Edward Hutchinson Parking Garage. The decades-old deteriorating garage, attached to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, closed in December. Funds from the facility were used to buy police vehicles and fire trucks.

“A lot of people up here worked really, really hard to get this pumper. … I just wanted you to know that it’s a very worthwhile purchase,” said Greensburg Mayor Robert Bell. “All you guys do for this city, it’s the least we could do to support you. The least we could do is put you guys in safe equipment and you’ll have that truck long after I’m gone.”

He applauded the fire department for their commitment to the community, noting that they recently helped fill eggs with candy for the city’s Easter egg hunt and often direct traffic for various events such as Greensburg Community Days.

“I think this truck is a show of support for you guys because you do so much for the community,” Robert Bell said. “I’ve said this at banquets before but I really think you guys are the backbone of this community so I think it was the least we could do to work our way through this and get you guys a truck.”