Hanlontown, Iowa
Monday, September 25, 2006
Hanlontown, IA
The Hanlontown Fire Department of Hanlontown, Iowa recently took delivery of a $254,000 Marion/Spartan custom pumper made possible through a Fire Act grant received in September of 2005. While not a big deal to most fire departments, it becomes one when you consider that the population of Hanlontown, Iowa is 230 (yes, a grand total of 230 people).
But, before you pass judgment of a Fire Act grant gone wrong, there are more interesting facts that make this a Fire Act grant success story. Hanlontown is sleepy little city located midway between Des Moines, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minnesota along busy I-35. The fire district that the fire department protects is approximately 55 square miles of primary response and an additional 50 square miles of automatic mutual aid district of a neighboring department. Their call volume averages between 80-100 calls per year with approximately 60% being EMS. Hanlontown provides EMT-B level non-transport service as the nearest ambulance service responds from 13 miles away. Included in their fire district are: 12 miles of I-35, 9 miles of state highway, a 45 million gallon ethanol plant, a regional Department of Transportation maintenance facility, two active quarries, 13 miles of Union Pacific rail, 14 miles of the Winnebago River, and approximately 3000 acres of public hunting. It all adds up to quite a bit to cover with a 1977 pumper, a 1978 pumper, a 1974 tanker, and a 1984 ambulance all with an annual budget of approximately $17,000.
The biggest problem that the department faces, though, are responses on I-35. The department averages 10-20 emergencies on the interstate annually, with the majority being high speed crashes in inclement weather conditions. Their previous apparatus were able to carry some everything that they might need for such an emergency and frequently three of the above mentioned apparatus were used at the same time. With availability of firefighters being strained during the day, it wasn’t uncommon to respond with 4-5 firefighters and 3 apparatus to get the job done. None of the apparatus had warning lights, reflective striping, or seatbelts that met the 1992 edition of NFPA 1901. Firefighter safety was a huge concern and it became an issue that was hurting member retention. But, through a Fire Act grant of $163,400 federal share and $8,600 local share, little Hanlontown was able to afford the purchase of a new apparatus, the question was how to maximize their bang for the buck. Luckily, through the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau, a revolving loan program for low population fire districts was available for some additional funding and the decision was made to purchase a custom chassis pumper that would outlive its commercial chassis counterparts and provide the department with a safer more maneuverable apparatus that would last for a few decades.
The department worked closely with Marion Body Works of Marion, WI on a demo pumper that was yet to go into production. Negotiating between the department and the manufacturer afforded the department the opportunity to make some key changes to the new pumper to fit their needs as well. The end result? The two old pumpers and the worn out ambulance are being removed from service, as the new pumper will be able to carry the payload of its predecessors along with the personnel in a safe manner. The Hanlontown Fire Department, once a poster child for Annex D, just took a quantum leap forward in the protection and safety of their firefighters and have renewed interest in the volunteers that serve this quiet little community that protects some important Midwest infrastructure.
