Photo and Frequently Asked Questions
about Briland's new fire truck

1. Why does Harbour Island need a new fire truck?
2. How will the new truck meet the need?
3. What will it cost?
4. Why not save money and purchase a used truck?
5. Whose truck is this?
6. What process was used in selecting this truck?
7. How will the fire truck be kept in top running condition?
8. Will the Fire Brigade work with the Police Department?
9. What else will the Fire Brigade do?
10. Who is on the committee?
11.Where do I send my check?

1. Why does Harbour Island need a new fire truck?

The current truck no longer meets the needs of Harbour Island. It is too large for many streets; it does not have 4x2 wheel drive necessary for sandy soil; it cannot pump from a variety of water sources such as the ocean, swimming pools, ponds, cisterns, or even fire hydrants. Also, many of the island's buildings and boats are located close together and now, and thousands of gallons of flammable fuel are being stored on the island. The existing truck pumps only water, no foam, which is needed for oil and gas fires.

2. How will the new truck meet the need?

The new truck shown above will be constructed to a special small size with a large water capacity. It has 4x2 wheel drive, is salt and water corrosion resistant with its new polypropylene tank. The new truck will be effective in fighting wood, electrical, and oil fires, since it can pump both water and foam. Here are its technical specs:

• Constructed of corrosion resistant aluminium and has a 1,000 gallon polypropylene water holding tank, impervious to salt water.
• Could pump 1250 gallons per minute with a single-stage centrifugal pump, when connected to existing hydrants or to any available water source, such as a swimming pool, well, cistern, pond or ocean.
• Would have the ability to make and throw foam on an inflammable liquid fire.
• Would be built on a special narrow chassis, with a 4x2 wheel-drive transmission, designed to traverse almost any street or alley on the island, including Juicey Hill and the Narrows. There will be over 1,000 feet of hose.
  

All components are designed for easy maintenance, and the equipment company will provide on-island training in its use and maintenance.

3. What will it cost?

fire truck - $135,000
shed - $ 5,000
Annual Operating expense: - $10,000

4. Why not save money and purchase a used truck?

The fire trucks that are available used are older models that do not meet the needs of this island, and were often retired because they have higher maintenance costs , or no longer met the newer safety standards. They do not have the combination of small size and large water tank, new corrosion resistant materials, and the ability to fight both wood and fuel fires.

5. Whose truck is this?

-The truck belongs to everyone.

-Everyone on Harbour Island will benefit from the fire truck.

-Anyone may volunteer to be trained to be a member of the Fire Brigade and the new Junior Fire Brigade.

-A committee representing the community will guide the planning and maintenance of the truck.

-Raising the monies for the purchase of the fire truck, the shed, and operation of the truck will involve everyone on the island, including the businesses, the home owners, the inn and marina owners, the churches, the boaters, the school children, and the various service and community organizations.

6. What process was used in selecting this truck?

-representatives on most of the other Bahamian islands were asked about their fire equipment and fire fighting services,

-fire chiefs from the Bahamas and U.S. were asked their opinions on the type of services an island should provide, and their recommendations on the various types of equipment and features for the Harbour Island fire truck,

-a fire chief from the U.S. did a survey of Harbour Island and made recommendations,

-several equipment companies were contacted for information,

-a truck that meet the needs of Harbour Island was selected and the bid from Emergency 1 was selected to build this vehicle.

7. How will the fire truck be kept in top running condition?

- The truck would be stored in a garage to minimize the impact of sun and salt.

-There will be a committee, representing a cross-section of Harbour Island, which will oversee personnel training and maintenance of the fire truck.

-Jefferson Johnson has kept the current fire truck in shape with regular maintenance. Jefferson will be given a stipend to continue care. At least 3 additional people will be trained to provide fire leadership, so there should always be someone on the island to maintain and manage the fire truck.

-At least 8 men and women have already volunteered to be trained to be members of the Fire Brigade (4 are needed at any one time).

-A Junior Brigade will be recruited from school children to be a support team for the fire truck. They will meet weekly to learn things such as how to call in an alarm, crowd control, CPR, equipment handling, and truck maintenance.

8. Will the Fire Brigade work with the Police Department?

The community will work together to respond to fire emergencies. Of course the policemen and fire fighters will work together to form an effective fire fighting team.

9. What else will the Fire Brigade do?

-The Fire Brigade will do a survey of and map all sources of water on the island, including wells, cisterns, swimming pools, ponds, hydrants, and ocean access points to be ready for an emergency.

-The Fire Brigade could provide safety training to students and families.

10. Who is on the committee?

Robert Arthur
Richard Haskell
Daryl Johnson
Jefferson Johnson
Iris Lewis
Keith Wells
Doug Lorey

11. Where do I send my check?

Make out a check to the Briland Modem Fund, with "Fire Truck" written in the memo line. If you want an American tax deduction, mail it to:

Briland Modem fund
10153 Riverside Drive Suite 244
Toluka Lake, CA 91602

If you don't need an American tax deduction, you can mail your check to:

c/o Keith Wells at the Royal Bank
PO Box EL27024,
Harbour Island, North Eleuthera
Bahamas

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