Maugansville fire department gets new rescue squad equipment

October 18, 1999|By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI

MAUGANSVILLE - After 12 years of fund raising, the Maugansville Goodwill Fire Department has purchased a new $254,000 rescue squad vehicle that will cut the response time by nine minutes to accidents in which victims must be extricated from automobiles, buildings or machinery, firefighters said.

The rescue squad vehicle is used to carry extrication equipment and up to six passengers to rescue victims, said Maugansville Chief Phil Ridenour.

"We've been saving for this for a long time. We have been able to get it through the hard work of our members and finance committee," Ridenour said.

The company has relied on Hagerstown Fire Department rescue squads to handle most extrication incidents. From Hagerstown, it can take a rescue truck up to 15 minutes to reach some areas of Maugansville, said Ridenour.

Maugansville has been using a 19-year-old utility truck to perform the same service on a limited basis, he said.

However, the utility truck is past its prime and will be put up for sale, Ridenour said.

The new rescue truck holds more equipment and is in compliance with Maryland laws for full-scale extrication rescues, Ridenour said.

"It's going to improve our service for any type of situation where a victim is entrapped," he said.

About five fire department members, including Ridenour, will make the 12-hour drive to the manufacturer in Appleton, Wis., Sunday to pick up the truck.

Maugansville Fire Department's service area includes 21 square miles and 3,500 households. Its 32 active firefighters respond to about 550 calls a year.

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