New fire truck for PI airport
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City councilors recently took the opportunity to visit the Northern Maine Regional Airport’s safety facility to get an up-close look at the Presque Isle Fire Department’s latest acquisition — a fire truck designed specifically for use at airports.
A NEW FIRE TRUCK was obtained by the Presque Isle Fire Department for use at the Northern Maine Regional Airport, with the majority of the funds coming from the Federal Aviation Administration. 
City officials recently took the opportunity to check out the vehicle during a visit to the airport. Pictured explaining different features on the truck, at left, is firefighter Ryan Sylvia, as city councilors Dick Engels, Micah Desmond and Peter Hallowell, and City Manager Jim Bennett look on.
Fire Chief Darrell White and firefighter Ryan Sylvia were on hand to demonstrate the many functions of the 2012 Oshkosh E-1 Striker 4-by-4, which came at little cost to the city to acquire.
“The truck cost $600,400 and was obtained, in part, through funding from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FFA covered 90 percent of the cost, with 5 percent picked up by the Maine Department of Transportation and 5 percent by the city of Presque Isle,” said White.
White said the new truck has “pump and roll capability.”
“It holds 1,500 gallons of water, 200 gallons of foam and 500 pounds of purple K dry chemical,” noted White. “This truck can spray a 20-second burst of dry chemical, which often is enough to put a fire out.”
The vehicle features nozzles on top and just above the bumper.
“The top sprays water or a water/foam mixture. The nozzle on front is the only one used for shooting dry chemical,” said White.
White said the truck isn’t designed to handle an aircraft fire by itself but rather serve as a first line of defense.
“Our main concern is pushing any fire and fuel away from the plane exits. Our primary concern is the first two to three minutes being able to keep the means of egress open,” said White.
Inside the vehicle firefighters have a variety of modern technology at their fingertips.
“Using a joystick control, firefighters are able to maneuver/aim nozzles wherever they’re needed,” said the chief.
The truck, which weighs about 90,000 pounds loaded, is equipped with four-wheel-drive. It also has a rollover indicator in it.
“If you take corners too sharp, it will let you know about it,” said White. “The tires cost about $15,000 to replace.”
Equipped with a 650 horsepower engine, the unit — with an automatic transmission — is capable of going from 0-60 mph in about 30 seconds. Airport equipment is tested regularly and has to meet FAA standards.
“The truck has to be able to reach the midpoint of any runway within three minutes,” said Sylvia.
Adding to its firefighting capabilities is the fact the unit comes with an infrared camera.
“No matter what the condition — fog, nighttime, snow — it sees as if it’s daytime,” said White.
The chief said the old truck was sold for $70,000, with a smaller unit now used as backup.
“There’s less cost that way than if we kept and maintained the old truck,” he said.
White said the truck was a priority for the airport, given the NMRA is the first major airport for planes arriving from overseas, with some of the longest runways in the state.
Council Chair Emily Smith’s 4-year-old son, Lane Carmichael, enjoyed checking out and taking a ride in the new truck.
“The water sprays faster than a speeding bullet,” said Carmichael.
White said the department is now well-equipped to handle airport emergencies.
“This truck is one big fire extinguisher on wheels,” said White.
