MOUNT CARMEL - A banner with the word "homeless" written on it placed on the new Anthracite Steam Fire Company ladder truck by members of the fire company while it was displayed at the annual Picnic in the Park has fired up members of the Mount Carmel Rescue Squad.
"It was childish!" said Gary Hixson Jr., a member of the rescue squad, to Anthracite Chief Jack Williams Jr. at the rescue squad station on Second and Walnut streets Monday afternoon, where the 2011 KME 100-foot Aerialcat has been housed since January.
The truck is there because the Anthracite building is too small, and the banner was placed on the truck by Anthracite members as a jab to borough council, which Anthracite members claim doesn't support their project.
"Our guys took it bad. How can it be homeless when we've been housing it?" Hixson added with agitation.
Williams was quick to tell Hixson that Anthracite has nothing against the squad - in fact, they're grateful. Rather, their problem is with borough council, of which Hixson is also a member.
Stirring the pot
The complicated controversy started in January 2009 when Anthracite was awarded a grand in the amount of $494,820 toward the purchase of a $700,000 ladder truck. The vehicle was paid for with a combination of Federal Emergency Management Agency grant money and funds from Mount Carmel Volunteer Emergency Services Association (MCVESA) and Anthracite membership funds.
Because the new truck was built to 2010 National Fire Protection Agency standards - it is 37 feet, 4 inches long, and 11 feet, 8 inches high with a 100-foot ladder - it's too tall to fit into the Anthracite building on Market Street. Council gave permission to Anthracite to pursue grant money for an addition with the stipulation that council would not pay for anything and no ground would be broken unless council approved.
Meanwhile, the rescue squad offered to house the large, new truck in its truck room for a year, while the Anthracite members found a permanent solution.
At July's meeting, Williams asked the borough council to allow Anthracite to solicit funds for the design and building process, but no council member made a motion to grant permission. This lack of action prompted Anthracite members to put the message up Saturday.
"It was a good thing. It stirred the pot," said Williams to Hixson.
Hixson agreed, but said it might not have stirred the pot in Anthracite's favor.
Anthracite has been working with Mid-Penn Engineering, Lewisburg, to develop the drawings and blueprints, which has cost approximately $12,000. The plans include the elevation, the appearance and the floor plan, but does not include where the wiring and plumbing will be placed.
Because the company had been planning to apply for state and federal grants, 40 percent of the designs had to be completed. None of the grants will pay for the whole addition, Williams said, hence the need for solicitation.
"It doesn't seem like they (council) are willing to support it," said Williams. "We voted to stop the process with the engineer, pay what we owe them and wait to see what happens with council. Why should we spend that much money to have them say no again?"
In addition to the costs, Williams said there's an issue of time, which is precious when fighting a fire. A structure fire can double every minute it burns unattended.
"It hurts us in two ways. We either waste time to pick the guys up (at the station), or we go straight to the scene, and have to wait for the guys to come there," said Williams.
A ladder truck is important to a community because it helps firefighters rescue people trapped on upper floors. It also helps firefighters reach a high roof to cut holes for ventilation, allowing the blaze to move vertically instead of horizontally, which is easier to control. The ventilation also relieves the intense heat inside a structure for volunteers fighting the fire inside.
Williams said there were only two fires this year that required the tall truck.
"We have been lucky this year," he said.
The Anthracite truck is taking up valuable space inside the rescue squad building, leaving little space for two rescue squad vehicles. One of the rescue trucks is blocked by the other two, and the rescue squad only has quick access to its larger truck. This means there's more wear and tear and money spent on gas for the bigger truck when there doesn't need to be, Hixson said.
It also means there's barely enough room for members to change into their gear and enter the trucks.
Lastly, the 76,500-pound Anthracite ladder truck is so heavy that it causes damage the 8-inch thick, non-reinforced concrete slabs outside the garage doors. The largest vehicle the rescue squad has is 27,000 pounds.
Council members speak
Council members defended their lack of action Monday.
"We didn't feel it was right to allow them to solicit and leave the other fire companies sitting out there," said Councilman Clem Plisiewicz.
MCVESA was formed specifically to raise money for the four borough fire companies - Anthracite Steam, American Hose and Chemical, West End and Clover Hose - so residents would only receive one mailing instead of four, said council President Tony Matulewicz.
Plisiewicz said he didn't understand what Williams meant by accusing them of not supporting Anthracite.
"We gave them permission to seek the grants and get the architectural drafts," he said.
Under the proper conditions and situations, the councilman said he would vote in favor of the addition.
"The Anthracite building is old and a landmark. We don't want something there that looks gaudy. We don't want to take away from the appearance of the building or the park," he said. "If it looks nice, I would say go ahead."
Williams said the addition, which would be one-story tall and on the left side of the building, would match the architecture of the current building.
Hixson, who has supported Anthracite's project, offered no new comment as a council member Monday. However, as a rescue squad member, he said, "We need the truck room. The truck needs to go."
Councilmen Matulewicz and Robert Barrett both were vocal Monday about being against the addition.
"I have voted against it in the past," Matulewicz said. "People I've talked to in the community are against expanding into the town park. It would redirect foot traffic and take a chunk of space."
Barrett expressed his frustration that the company ordered a truck when they were aware it was too large.
"Anybody knows when you're getting a truck, you're going to get one that fits. It's a no brainer," he said. "Now they want to put an addition and they don't have the money and they want people of the borough to help pay for it."
Williams said new regulations have increased the size of the truck, and the federal grant money would not allow the company to purchase an older, used truck. It was a choice of buying a new, updated truck and working out the details of the building later or purchase an outdated truck and lose the grant money.
"Bigger isn't always better," said Barrett. "I just don't see the whole idea and concept of this truck. I don't understand it. Don't buy a truck and try to shove it in the garage, and then blame council when it doesn't fit."
No other member of council was available Monday for comment.
Discussion planned
Matulewicz will be meeting with Williams this week to discuss the project.
"I hope council can work together with the Anthracite in the best interest of the town. I look forward to talking with him," he said.
Williams said they are only looking for council to back their decision.
"We need them to support us and allow us to move ahead, otherwise we won't put any more money toward it," he said.