Reprint from the Progress Times - August 10, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Alton FD says new truck is a jewel

By Kathy Olivarez

The used fire truck that the City of Alton has tried out to replace the pumper that no longer works is a jewel according to Fire Chief Elias Saldivar. The city plans to purchase the truck for $95,000. The truck, which comes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a three-in-one truck – a rescue-pumper-tanker.

Saldivar said Alton’s old pumper has a capacity of 500 to 750 gallons. The new truck holds 1,500 gallons. Anything over 1,200 gallons is considered to be a tanker truck as well as a pumper truck.

The truck can also be used as a rescue truck because it has a special space in the back.

The truck has a special feature in its pump system that is designed to handle hazardous waste materials.

"If we were to buy that feature for one of our trucks, it would have cost us at least $8,000. If we were to purchase a new truck like this one, it would cost $280,000."

Saldivar said the truck is in great shape. "Big cities usually are required by their unions to get rid of trucks when their warranties expire.” That is why this truck that has so many special features is available and in great shape to use.

The area served by Alton is getting more populated and that means more calls, according to Saldivar. The city also got back the area which it had previously lost to Palmview. The area extends from Iowa Street to La Homa Road and from Mile 3 Road all the way to FM 492 in McCook.

Saldivar explained the city had lost the area due to its all-volunteer fire department. Response was low and often too few volunteers responded. Now that Alton has professional firemen the area was returned to the city.

Today, Alton has seven professional firemen on its staff and is still aided by volunteers. The city is looking for recognition from the Texas Department on Fire Protection.

Saldivar said the city is currently looking for volunteers who want to learn medical and rescue skills to supplement their fire department. At the present time the city has 12 volunteers. Anyone interested in joining Alton’s Volunteer Fire Department should contact Saldivar at 581-5800.

Because Alton has such a large rural area, Saldivar is considering creating a substation outside the city limits to be closer to rural developments. New firemen, fire trucks, equipment, and volunteers will be needed to man the new station.

To that end the city is budgeting for a new fire truck while it is purchasing the truck found to replace the disabled truck.