City of Kentwood
The Kentwood Fire Department recently acquired a new fire engine that will allow firefighters to provide leading-edge fire suppression and emergency medical services.
The City of Kentwood ordered the 2018 Spartan Metro Star pumper last year to replace a 2002 pumper nearing retirement. Built by Charlotte-based Spartan Motors, Inc., the new fire engine will be housed in Fire Station 1, on Walma Avenue, and is slated to be in service soon.
“As part of our regularly scheduled replacements of emergency vehicles, this new engine is a further investment in the safety of Kentwood residents,” said Kentwood Fire Chief Brent Looman. “It will serve as the new main engine at this station.”
The apparatus is equipped with a 450-horsepower clean-diesel engine and a 500-gallon water tank with a foam system. The foam system is used in firefighting to deliver environmentally safe fire-retardant foam to extinguish fires or protect unburned areas.
Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with more than 2,000 feet of fire hose, a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump and life-saving medical equipment. The new engine cost $491,000 and is expected to be in operation for 10 years or longer.
The Kentwood Fire Department was involved in every step of acquiring the new vehicle, from writing the specs to final delivery. The meticulous process began in earnest with the design. The Fire Department ensured the truck was built using the same parts as other vehicles in the fleet, which is critical for firefighter safety and streamlined maintenance.
After the cab was built, it was transported to Spartan’s sister facility in South Dakota, where the body of the vehicle was built. Looman himself inspected everything from the lug nuts to the lights.
“The inspection is a crucial step in the process that ensures the truck is built to our specifications,” Looman said. “Spartan Motors built a solid vehicle that will allow us to continue to serve our community for years to come.”
More information about Kentwood Fire Department is available online, visit here.
