Donations pay for fire truck

12/11/2015 9:16:00 AM Donations pay for fire truck Local companies pitch in to help the town

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Tara Vocino From left, Capt. Dennis Hamel, Chief Raymond A. LaPorte, Lt. Carl Ogert, firefighter/EMT Todd Alden, firefighter/medic Dan Dean, Lt. Doug Wheeler, and firefighter Gary Hannula are grateful for the sense of community in collecting donations to replace two older trucks; in front is firefighter George Bowren. + click to enlarge News staff photo by Tara Vocino The newly acquired fire engine has a radio scanner in the front end of the vehicle. Tara Vocino Reporter TEMPLETON Thanks to generous donations spearheaded by local business owners, the Templeton Fire Department has acquired a used fire truck from Florida. According to Fire Chief Raymond A. LaPorte, the purchase, equipment-mounting and transport price of the truck was $58,600. Mr. LaPorte said new, fully equipped fire trucks sell for half a million. “The fact that they only paid 12 to 15 percent of what it’s worth is phenomenal,” Mr. LaPorte said. “To get a truck that is inexpensive and that’ll work for us is a great deal. I can’t say enough about their sense of community and positive character.” The department received the truck in the summer, but additional in-house work was required, including mounting equipment and servicing, to prepare it to serve the needs of the community. It has gone on multiple calls, including several major fires on Otter River Road and North Main Street, since then. Donors met at the station to celebrate the completion of the work on the truck recently. Department members thanked contributors for their generosity, as they have improved their ability to serve Templeton residents, Mr. LaPorte said. Seaman Paper Co. of Mass. Inc. President George D. Jones III spearheaded the movement. Mr. Jones gathered company owners together to acquire enough donations to cover the engine’s cost. Mr. Jones explained why he felt led to give. “If we had a serious fire, that’d put us out of business,” Mr. Jones said. “The guys have always been there for us.” He asked the department what they needed and they replied, “a fire engine.” They had a fire at the plant in December, and he said the department acted quickly. Fire Capt. Dennis Hamel joked he guesses that he’s off their Christmas list this year. “We’ll see you in another two to three years to see if we can get a new one,” Mr. Hamel joked. The new truck has taken the place of two trucks previously used by the department – a rescue truck that suffered from a failing motor and a 1981 Ford E1 pumper truck. The National Fire Protection Agency recommends replacing front-line fire engines at 20 years old, but the truck was 34 years old – well beyond its life expectancy, Mr. LaPorte said. Seaman Paper Vice President of Purchasing Sean Whittle said there were some fires at the mill that the Fire Department responded to even though the paper mill’s staff is trained in response. “One, which was sparked by combustion, lasted a few days about four years ago,” Mr. Whittle said. “Another one was a dryer fire, ignited by a valve being stuck, about eight months ago. Due to their help, there weren’t any injuries. They’ve been very good to us.”  Country Mischief owner Gail Whittle had a chimney fire at the restaurant and said the department was fabulous in helping to evacuate everyone, about 10 years ago. “We certainly need them to save people, animals, houses and businesses,” Ms. Whittle said. “They jumped right on it and took care of us.” Other donors were: Garlock Printing; Dennecrepe Corporation; Pete’s Tire Barns; William Harris Inc.; Royal Steam; Dean Paige Welding; and Lyman Signs.