Franklin Borough Fire Rescue

Franklin Borough Fire Rescue currently operates three apparatus: a combination pumper/rescue truck, a combination pumper/aerial truck, and a utility/personnel squad. All three apparatus are owned by the Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1 and are housed in our Main Street firehouse.

Pumper/Rescue Truck

Designated as Engine 5-1, our Four Guys rear-mount rescue/pumper was built on a 2007 Spartan Gladiator Evolution chassis with a 1500-gpm pump, 500-gallon water tank, and 30-gallon Class A foam tank. It carries 1250ft of 5″ supply hose, 800ft of 2½” hose, and 900ft of 1¾” attack hose. This vehicle was designed to include numerous safety features, such as a fully-enclosed cab, reflective chevron striping on the front and rear of the apparatus, scene lighting that can be turned on prior to arriving on scene, a ladder rack that lowers the ladders closer to the ground, and fire attack hose that is also closer to the ground which prevents firefighters from having to climb the apparatus to deploy hose lines.

In addition to the water, foam, and fire hose, this vehicle carries the department’s rescue equipment (air lifting bags, saws, cribbing and lifting jacks, water rescue rope and flotation vests, rescue rope, etc.), atmospheric monitoring devices, hazardous materials absorbents, ventilation saws and fans, and numerous fire and rescue hand tools. The rescue/pumper also has a RIC pack, a 4-bottle high-pressure cascade system, a 10kW diesel generator, and a light tower.

This new rescue/engine has been designed to perform firefighting, basic response level rescue, rapid intervention, fire support (truck company tasks), and first responder hazmat operations, as well as respond to assist ambulance crews.

Pumper/Aerial Truck

Our pumper/ladder truck, designated as Truck 5-1, is a 1978 Mack CF-600 with a 50-ft Snorkel© Telesqurt, pre-piped waterway with remote control nozzle, 1250-gpm pump, 500-gallon water tank, and 3-kW inverter. Truck 5-1 carries all the necessary equipment for an NFPA pumper/aerial apparatus (that equates to both engine and truck company equipment). Some of this equipment includes: 1150ft of 4″ supply hose, 800ft each of 2½” and 1¾” attack hose, fire extinguishers, ventilation fans and saws, atmospheric monitoring devices, hazardous materials absorbents, numerous hand tools, basic life support medical supplies,  a sump pump, and limited basic rescue equipment (including water rescue rope and flotation vests).

This truck was purchased in December 1999 to add truck company capabilities to the department while also replacing a 1975 Mack pumper.

Utility/Personnel Squad

Our personnel squad/utility vehicle is a 1999 Chevrolet 4WD Suburban that is designated as Squad 5-1. This vehicle is used to transport personnel and equipment, respond to emergency medical assists and public service requests, and handle other company activities, such as fundraising. This vehicle was purchased in late 2008 to replace an older deteriorating Chevrolet Suburban.