Corbin invests $465,000 in new fire truck

Corbin’s new custom-built fire truck, which went into service Thursday morning, can carry twice the amount of water as the 25-year-old truck that it is replacing with a 1,000-gallon water tank compared to a 500-gallon water tank, which at a fire scene can make a big difference.

“This gives us more water for when we get to a house fire and it gives us more time to get it hooked up to a hydrant and ensure that we don’t run out of water. There are no hydrants out on the interstate. If we have vehicle fires, especially commercial semi-truck fires, the 500 gallons of water is not always enough,” noted Corbin Fire Department Battalion Chief James Smith.

South East Apparatus custom built the new 2022 Spartan FC94 for the Corbin Fire Department, which has been named “Engine 2”, for a cost of about $465,000.

It took about 14 months from design to completion.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Corbin Fire Chief Barry McDonald.

McDonald noted that this was the first time that the city has ever had a fire truck custom built.

The new truck replaces “Engine 5,” which is a 1998 E-One demo model truck.

The new 450 horsepower truck has a 1,500 gallon per minute pump rate compared to a 1,250 gallons per minute rate on the old truck.

The hoses on the new truck are longer and it is loaded with a foam technology, which is better to use on some types of fires because it can smother the fire more quickly, McDonald said.

“The foam just enables us to put the fire out quicker and it helps keep the fire cooler and reduces the risk of rekindles at house fires or vehicle fires. It also makes the 1,000 gallons of water last longer, which helps on the interstate with car fires,” Smith added.

The old truck had only one waterline on it where foam could be used compared to the new truck, where all the waterlines on the new truck can be used with foam, McDonald said.

Because the Corbin Fire Department also responds to medical emergencies, the new truck has extra space for medical supplies, which is a much needed addition.

When “Engine 5” was purchased in 1998, the Corbin Fire Department didn’t response to medical calls like it does today, Smith added.

“Just being able to spec this truck and lay out all of the compartments like we wanted to has made it where we can have all the equipment that we need on it and how we need it so we can get to it quickly and readily,” Smith said.

This is the first new fire truck purchase for the city since 2001.

“I am super excited about the new fire truck. These guys have been waiting for a long time to get one. Our local fire truck manufacturer South East Apparatus created this specially for the City of Corbin. I know that it is going to serve our community for many years to come,” noted Mayor Suzie Razmus.

McDonald added that he would like to thank Corbin taxpayers for the new truck.

“It is their tax dollars that made this happen. We are very pleased with that. I don’t think they will be disappointed. We have a great bunch of guys. They are well-trained and they know how to use it,” McDonald said.