The West Plains (Mo.) Fire Department has added four new vehicles to its fleet, highlighted by a dual-purpose 2023 Ferrara Fire Apparatus Custom Pumper purchased from Fire Master Fire Apparatus of Springfield, Mo.
The Ferrara Pumper is equipped with a 450 HP Cummins L9 engine with an Allison 5-speed transmission, a Hale Q-Max 1750 GPM pump with a 1000-gallon booster tank, and a 6 kW PTO-driven generator. The vehicle will also carry a set of Genesis battery-powered rescue tools and any equipment necessary to fight fires and perform rescues.
“It is a true rescue pumper that has already proven to be a valuable addition to our fleet,” said West Plains Fire Chief Kurt Wilbanks, who added that the Ferrara Pumper is the first new fire truck added to the fleet since 2015. A celebratory “push in” event with West Plains fire department staff members, West Plains city council members, and West Plains citizens was held on September 30, 2023.
The new Ferrara was purchased with City of West Plains capital improvement tax funds, along with a $120,000 grant from Volkswagen.
The other three vehicles added to the fleet were a 2023 Ford F-450 4×4 Crew Cab, and a pair of 2023 Ford F-150s. The F-450 features a custom-built aluminum bed with a 7.3L V8 gas engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The skid unit is a Darley Fast Attack with a 300-gallon tank and 375 GPM pump. It replaces a 1986 Chevrolet 4500 obtained from military surplus. The new F-150s will be used for administrative duties.
Fire Chief Wilbanks wanted to give special thanks to the West Plains citizens, whose passage of the capital improvement tax has enabled the fire department to have the equipment necessary to perform their duties. “We receive a tremendous amount of support from the West Plains city council and from the West Plains community, and we are honored to protect the lives and property of our citizens.”
You can learn more about the West Plains Fire Department by visiting westplains.gov.
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