The Kearny Fire Department just got a lot more advanced, thanks to a new pumper truck.
Within the next few days, the pumper, which will be stationed at the Davis Avenue Firehouse, will roll out. It cost more than $300,000, but thanks to the work of Chief Joe Lapsanski, Deputy Chief Robert Osborn and Capt. Frank Viscuso, officials were able to secure a grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security.
The grant, Lapsanski says, paid for more than 2/3 of the entire cost of the truck.
What makes the truck more unique is that it is capable of pumping foam. Back in March, when there was a major fire El Marinero restaurant on Harrison Avenue, the department needed foam to help put out the fire. But few local departments have foam capability — so Lapsanski then had to call for assistance from the New York City Fire Department.
Now, Kearny will have a foam pumper, something few departments this side of the Hudson River have.
Lapsanski says that since much of the truck was paid for with federal funds, when needed, he'll have to supply mutual aid to other departments when foam is needed.
"This is a tremendous asset to the department, and the taxpayers should be pleased how little this actually cost them," the chief said yesterday while unveiling the new truck. "We're very pleased."
The chief also said he expects to return the pumper the department borrowed from North Arlington sometime within the next two weeks.
Kevin Canessa Jr
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