Temporary solution sought
Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department has to wait another two-and-a-half years, approximately, for delivery of its new pumper tanker, but following a motor vehicle accident on May 4, the need to temporarily replace its 35-year-old engine has increased exponentially.
During Monday night’s work session meeting Chief Charles Quinn explained the truck was coming from Rt. 32 and heading eastbound on Quaker Avenue. Truck 412 was responding to a call and according to the police report, emergency lights and siren were activated.
As the fire truck approached the Rt. 9W junction, a car was coming off the northbound exit ramp and stopped in front of the engine. Using evasive maneuvers, the truck swerved left to avoid the car, swerved right to avoid falling into the ditch, swerved left to avoid another ditch, and spun around eventually hitting a utility pole.
No injuries were reported, but the car left the scene. Volunteers were able to get the license plate number, however.
Quinn said the frame is bent and the back axle appears to be twisted. The cost to repair needs to hit $450,000 to $475,000 in order for the village to receive the agreed upon insurance value of $600,000. The insurance adjuster is still working on a report.
“It’s probably not reasonable to put a lot of money into repairing it,” said Quinn, noting the engine doesn’t have safety features like airbags and antilock brakes.
For the time being, Canterbury Fire District has been put on automatic response and will send two engines to any active structure fire in the village, but the department needs to come up with a temporary solution as delivery of the new truck won’t be until Dec. 2026 and can’t be expedited.
While some of the insurance money will be put towards the new apparatus, Quinn suggested finding a municipality that has an extra engine it can rent out for the time being. The department could also look at purchasing a used vehicle and then resell it later. Quinn said he found one similar to Engine 412. It’s two years younger and on the market for $35,000. The only problem is it doesn’t have the safety features newer trucks do.
