North Catasauqua Borough Council members had an opportunity to talk over the details of production and payment for the new fire truck currently under construction for the borough fire department, in a meeting with the dealer handling the truck sale last Tuesday. Part of the information session occurred before the start of the March 25 council meeting and the remainder occurred during the meeting.

Dealer Brian Horrock of Horrocks Fire and Rescue Apparatus, attended the session to answer questions council members had about the delivery of the new pumper truck, which has an aerial apparatus.

Horrock began by presenting a brief history of Rosenbaur, the company which is currently in the process of manufacturing the custom-built truck at plants located in Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Horrock representatives will visit the factory to confirm that it has been built to the specifications ordered in April, after which the truck will be driven to the dealership in Skippack for detailing and a checkup.

When the truck is ready, it will be delivered to North Catasauqua, at which time the borough will sign a release letter so the bank handling the loan for the borough will pay the dealer.

After delivery, the dealer will provide a three-day familiarization session with key fire department personnel, which can be videotaped for training additional firefighters.

Familiarization is for training on the operation of the ladder, pump and other devices, not driver training.

Horrock spent some time talking about the safety features that protect the ladder and the truck and its operators.

Councilman William Nothstein asked for details on the timing of the delivery

"A concern is that it would arrive and no one would be trained to drive the truck," he said, imagining a scenario of the old truck being sold before borough firefighters are ready to operate the new one.

Acting Fire Chief Shawn McGinley explained when the truck arrives in April, it will take a couple of weeks to get it lettered and set up with radios. Also, a number of tools must be taken off the old truck and mounted on the new one.

"Coming in at the end of April, we are probably looking at June before everything is set on the truck itself," McGinley said. "By the time the aerial operations training comes around [scheduled in June], the truck is going to be ready to go."

Nothstein asked if it is necessary to hold off on the sale of the old truck until training is complete on the new truck.

McGinley said if there is breifly no fire engine available, because the old one is sold before training is complete, neighboring fire companies will be able to offer mutual aid.

Horrock also said if the council would approve it, he would like to take the new truck to a firefighter expo in Harrisburg May 14-18 for display.

Council President Joseph Keglovits suggested waiting for the borough to take possession of the truck after the show, and the council voted 6-0, with Councilman John Yanek absent, in favor of allowing the truck to go to the show.

Councilman Peter Paone asked about space for the new truck in the fire station bay, if the old truck is still in the department's possession when it is delivered.

Keglovits suggested the old truck could be parked outdoors on borough property.

In other fire department business at the meeting, the old fire truck, a 1993 Spartan/Darley fire engine, has been advertised, with bids due to the borough office by April 9. The advertising asks for a minimum bid of $35,000.

The old Crown Victoria used by the fire chief will be put out for bids. Council approved advertising the sale. The chief is now using a newer used vehicle, formerly a borough police cruiser.