West Fargo Fire Department will get new pumper and rescue unit

West Fargo, North Dakota – The West Fargo Fire Department will get a new fire pumper and rescue unit to better serve the community.

Besides equipment and a complete complement of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) authorized hoses, the all-hazards pumper is equipped with a 750-gallon water tank for pumping water into fire situations. This unit is used for a variety of tasks, including fire scene cleanup, air tank refills, heavy rescue, water rescue, and hazardous materials operations.

A 14-year-old pumper is being replaced with a new pumper, and the new rescue unit will take over for a unit that has been in operation for 20 years.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, this type of equipment should be replaced with vehicles that have interior surface materials that can be decontaminated of carcinogens.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, so it is important to limit their exposure to carcinogens.

Fire Chief Dan Fuller of the West Fargo Fire Department remarked, “The addition of this new pumper and rescue unit helps the department meet the NFPA recommendations to replace equipment. This equipment will not only help keep our community safe, but also keeps our firefighters safe from cancer.”

A grant from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality will cover fifty percent of the equipment’s cost. The grant’s purpose is to encourage the replacement of existing diesel vehicles with newer, cleaner diesel vehicles.

Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement regarding the company’s misrepresentation of diesel emissions for its products, which resulted in this grant. The remaining cost of the vehicles will be covered by the capital improvement sales tax.