Sterling Volunteer Fire Company

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company is proud to announce that our new KME Predator pumper is now in service. The first call for Engine 618 came in at 18:24, an EMS assist for a patient with abdominal pains. Just over 2 hours later Engine 618 was dispatched along with Quint 611 (running as an engine), Engine 622, Engine 623, Quint 618 (running as a truck), TowerLadder 606, Rescue Squad 439, Ambulance 625, Captain 611 and Battalion 602 for a house fire. Rescue Squad 615, Chief 611, Chief 606, Battalion Chief 402, and Canteen 611 also responded. Engine 618 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke from the garage. Engine 618 began an interior attack, backed up by Quint 611. Rescue 615 and Quint 618 began to search for victims while Rescue 439 was assigned to RIT. Engine 622 and TowerLadder 606 went to the rear of the structure and assisted in extinguishing the fire. Crews had the fire in check in about 15 minutes and began extensive overhaul.

Antietam Fire Apparatus has posted a series of photos of our new 2009 KME Predator, Engine 618, HERE. The company continues to train on the new engine and make final adjustments and tool installation. We hope to have it serving the public in a few weeks.

The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company is proud to place in service our newest apparatus, Quint 618. This new unit is a 2008 Smeal and features a 105 foot ladder, 500 gallons of water, and a 2000 GPM pump, along with all the other hoses, ladders, and tools we use to serve the Sterling community. It will primarily run out of firestation 18, in Cascades. It has already run its first call, fuel leaking from a vehicle at 10:00 on Saturday morning. Look for it in the area feel free to stop by and check it out in person.

Photo by: Mike Sanders

You can listen to the radio announcement here.

You can hear it’s first response here.

The apparatus committee just returned from the Smeal Factory in Nebraska where they completed the final inspection of Quint 18. The truck still needs some of its striping and decals put on as well as all of the equipment mounted but is largely ready to go. This 100 foot ladder truck replaces the old 75 foot Quint 18.

***UPDATE*** Quint 18 in now at Fire Station 18 in Sterling (May 13). It is scheduled for its public unveiling on May 24th at the Cascades Fire Chase 10K run.

(Photo Credit: Johnny Bischoff)

On April 20, 2007, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company placed in service a new 2006 Seagrave 104 ft Rearmount TowerMax Platform on a Marauder II chassis. The TowerMax has a 1000 lb tip load and flows 2000 gpm through dual electric monitors. The rig is powered by a Caterpillar C13, 12.5Liter, 525 HP motor with an Allison EV automatic transmission.

The tower is equipped with almost 200 feet of ground ladders, a 20kw hydraulic generator, lights, fans, RIT equipment including a complete Hurst Mini-Lite Rescue Tool compliment and numerous forcible entry tools and hooks.

Tower 611 is stationed at the South Sterling Safety Center (Sterling Park).

Photo by Mike Sanders

At approximately 1800 on Wednesday February 28th, Tower 611 made her first appearance at Station 18. Members of the SVFD, SVRS and LCFR were on hand to celebrate the safe arrival of their newest piece of apparatus. Over the course of the next few weeks the department looks forward to completing the finishing touches, begin training and place her “in-service.”

Great job to the apparatus committee for the outstanding work that went into the delivery of Sterling’s newest addition! (K. Smith)

Tower 611 in quarters.

Ready for action.

Photos: FF Bryan Knight

Tower 611 is alive and well. The inspection has gone well and no major issues have been discovered. We will see the truck very soon.

Enjoy the pictures and you can see it live and in color in a few weeks. (Mark Featherstone)

Photos: Mark Featherstone

Seagrave continues to make excellent progress on the tower. Both sides of the body have been installed, the roll up doors and many other items. Compartmentation on the transverse compartment has been completed.

The Apparatus Committee will travel to Wisconsin February 6 to 10 to do a final inspection, and spend a day or so mounting tools and equipment.

Seagrave will drive the tower back to Fesco Emergency Sales Elkridge Maryland for a PM and then add the graphics. Seeing the new tower by the end of February. (Mark Featherstone)

Photos: Mark Featherstone and Seagrave

SVFD is proud to update the membership and community that as of Wednesday morning, January 17th, Seagrave has mounted the transverse compartment and expects to have both of the side compartments mounted by weeks end. The inspection is still on schedule for the first part of February with a delivery date to be no later than the end of February.

Keep your eyes open for the next update!

Front Basket

Left Side

Right Side

Photos: Mark Featherstone and Seagrave

Here’s a nice photo of Engine 618 in the bay at fire station 18 taken by D/O Kevin Makowski.