Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department
Scott Township - Allegheny County Station 255
Scott Township - Allegheny County Station 255
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Bower
Hill VFD
161 Vanadium Road
Bridgeville PA 15017-3025
161 Vanadium Road
Bridgeville PA 15017-3025
Emergency Dial 911
Business Phone 412-221-3497
Fax 412-221-3990
Hall Rentals 412-221-9073
e-Mail bhvfd255@yahoo.com
This Page Last Update:
December 13, 2007
Made with:
Best with: 
255 Engine 1 - 1998 Triple Combination Pumper (1998 - Present)
In 1997, the American LaFrance pumper reached the twenty year old mark. At this point, it could not be recognized as a front-line engine by the Insurance Service Organization (ISO). To maintain the community's ISO fire protection rating, Bower Hill bought a new 1998 Pierce pumper. This is the largest vehicle the department has owned, and by a large margin. It has several features that were new at the time. It was one of the first fire engines from Pierce to have a digital multiplex electrical system. Unfortunately, the digital-age axiom, "never buy version 1.0" has proven true. This vehicle experienced a decade of recurrent electrical system failures. These seem to have been resolved as it enters its second decade of service.
The
engine is configured for responses to calls to assist other
departments, and for motor vehicle collisions, fuel spills, and vehicle
fires. It carries a 15
Kilowatt generator, a four-tank air cascade, a Class B foam system, a
front-mounted winch, and two cab-mounted light towers. In the photo
above, on delivery day, November 4, 1998, the air cascade, electrical
cord reels and hand
lights are in place, but all portable equipment and hose has yet to be
installed, and the water and foam tanks are dry.
This is a large vehicle. The top-mounted pump panel was first adopted by Bower Hill in 1970, when it was the newest innovation. It gives the operator a better view of the scene and makes it easier for others to get his or her attention, and keeps the operator out of traffic and away from some scene noise. This comes at the expense of a necessarily longer wheelbase for the vehicle; in this case, 229 inches.
When the pumper was ordered in 1997, it was to have been called "Engine 4-C." By the time it was delivered in 1998, Allegheny County had assigned new station numbers to all fire departments in the county. It was delivered as "Engine 255-1." In May of 2006, the county adopted a slightly different format, and the vehicle became "255 Engine 1." It retains the old graphics.
| Year: |
| 1998 |
| Chassis Manufacturer: |
| Pierce Manufacturing |
| Chassis Model: |
| Dash 2000 |
| Builder's Number: |
| EB-907 |
| Vehicle GVW Rating: |
| 47,700 Pounds |
| Engine Type: |
| Detroit
Diesel 60 Series 12.7L (774 CID) 6-cylinder inline, Diesel, 460 HP |
| Vehicle Wheelbase: |
| 229 inches |
| Transmission Type: |
| Allison HD-4060P five-speed Automatic |
| Apparatus Type: |
| Triple Combination Pumper |
| Apparatus Manufacturer: |
| Pierce Manufacturing |
| Apparatus Model: |
| Pumper 2A |
| Pump Type: |
| Hale
QSMG-200 single-stage centrifugal |
| Flow Capacity: |
| 2000 GPM |
| Tank Capacity: |
| 500
Gallons Water, 40 Gallons Foam |
| Hose Load: |
| 1100' x 3.5" (supply) (2) x 200' x 2.5" (attack) (2) x 200' x 1.75" (1.5" cpl.) 100' x 1.75" (1.5" coupl.) 100' x 1.5" |
| Date Delivered: |
| November 4, 1998 |
| Purchase Price: |
| $351,086.00 |
| Purchased From: |
| Win-Son Fire Equipment Sales, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Current Status: |
| In service as 255 Engine 1 |
| Dispostion: |
| (Currently in service) |