True North Emergency recently refurbished a 1995 H&W Equipment front-mount pumper for Coquille Fire Department, providing new lighting, plumbing, and upgraded valves at a fraction of the cost. The department kept the truck operational for as long as they could, but eventually, major improvements were required. The department met with True North to discuss alternative solutions, as funding for a new truck was not in the budget.
True North proposed refurbishment as a cost-effective solution that would also save time. The truck was sent out in January and returned in April. This three-month turnaround period ensured the department was not down a unit for too long. The final price was approximately 10% of the cost of a new truck, while bringing the vehicle closer to modern standards.
When refurbishing the aging unit, True North prioritized enhancements such as upgrading lighting and valves, installing new plumbing from front to back, a new Coquille Yellow paint job, and other operational improvements that significantly improved usability and reliability.
“True North Emergency’s upgrades far exceeded our expectations. We’re already looking at sending additional trucks over for refurbs,” said Zach Latimer, Coquille Fire Chief. “The retrofitted lighting is a game changer. Our previous lighting did not work, now we can easily see inside our compartments when on scene.”
The truck’s retrofit was a major success, extending the life of an older truck and reducing staff time spent on constant repairs.
Coquille Fire Department is a dual-response agency that responds to 911 medical and fire calls and provides mutual aid to three local agencies. The department services 900 square miles for medical calls and 1800 square miles for fire.