T. John

21 or 23 is too young for a Chief's position in any department. There is something called experience that can only be gained over time. A good chief needs to have experience not only on the fire-ground but with handling their personnel, community relations, budgets, and fund raising, apparatus, politics and more. The chief is also the person that carries the most responsibility for their Department (i.e. legally). I certainly appreciate and respect younger officers as I once was one. But, the path to becoming a chief should be a gradual, trained and experienced position.

The Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Dept. in Old Greenwich, CT just took delivery of a new squad. Ford F550 Super Duty (Diesel) to be used primarily for personnel transport, highway response (for traffic control), to tow our collapse trailer and to support our SCUBA team. It has an on board generator as well as a 1,500 lb. pull out tray in the rear compartment. All LED warning lights and a halogen traffic director in the rear. Radios to be installed shortly and we are working out the details on the lettering. This unit is replacing our currently Utility ('99 2500 Chevrolet Suburban, diesel). If any department is looking for a vehicle and might be interested in our Suburban, let me know. It will come with a full lighting package and antenna wires.

A recent article featuring the Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department's Dive Team in Old Greenwich, CT. Publication: Greenwich Post Written By: Sara Poirer, Assistant Editor http://www.acorn-online.com/news/publish/g...ich/24593.shtml

The truck and body was purchased from Fouts Bros. Fire Equipment in GA. They did a great job for a really good price. Their website is http://www.foutsbrosfire.com/.

We sure will - although I am holding onto the keys!! hahaha.

Here are the details on the old Suburban: 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 SeriesTurbo Diesel24,596 miles (as of 10/05/07)Bench seats in the frontPower windows / doorsAM/FM radioFront / rear A/CFull lighting package included (to any emergency response organization)Whelen 12 strobe light-bar (red/white front facing, red rear facing)Whelen 6 strobe mini light-bar (red/orange)Grille strobes (red/clear)Intersection strobes (red/clear)Strobes mounted on the rear barn doors (red/clear)Whelen switch panelWhelen siren with dual amplifiers (i.e. you can have wail and yelp at the same time)Pre-wired for antennas Current asking price: $12,500 The VHF radio (Motorola 110W Spectra) is negotiable with the vehicle. Purchases / offers have to be approved through our Board of Directors. If any Department is looking for a vehicle, let me know.

About $12,500. I will post the details and pics online once I have a chance to get the poster done. It is a really nice truck and in great shape. 12 strobe Whelen lightbar on the front (red/white), 6 strobe mini Whelen lightbar (reb/amber) on the rear, flashing headlights, red/while grille lights, red/white intersection lights and strobes mounted on both of the barn doors on the back. Whelen siren with two amplifiers. Whelen Spectra 110W VHF radio can be included for an additional $350.

We are in the process of putting together specifications for a new rescue. Looking at a Pierce, non-walk in. We have completely run out of room on the current truck. Our current plan is to take the current rescue (with the walkin) and convert that over to a SCUBA/water rescue truck.