Northside welcomes new rescue rig

PONDERAY ­— The Northside Fire District's acquisition of a new rescue vehicle is expected save precious time when it arrives at the scene of a vehicle collision to extricate injured motorists.

The district recently took delivery of a Rosenbauer rescue vehicle that is already plumbed with a hydraulic system that powers rescue cutters, spreaders and other tools.

"It probably saves us 10 minutes in setup time," said firefighter Danny Knott.

That might not seem like much time, although it is significant when placed up against the emergency medicine concept of the golden hour, the span of time where prompt treatment can prevent a death.

The new rescue vehicle can also bring more firefighters to a scene. Knott said the district's previous rig could carry two firefighters.

"This has the ability to take five," said Knott.

Moreover, the seating in the vehicle's cab allows firefighters to strap into their secondary breathing apparatuses while seated, which allows them to hit the deck running when responding to a fire.

The district worked with Mountain West Bank to secure a municipal lease agreement to purchase the $318,000 rescue vehicle. The lease has a non-appropriation clause that prevents the district from incurring indebtedness beyond a single year.

"We've done them for fire departments around the state," said Nick Brunelle, a commercial lending officer for Mountain West.

The same lease arrangement was used to secure Northside's pumper/tender truck in 2010. It was paid off in five payments.

The rescue truck will mean fewer Northside vehicles will have to be deployed in the event of a car crash, according to Chief Brad Mitton. The district's old rescue rig, in addition to a piece of fire apparatus, would be pressed into service on an extrication call.

"It's better when you can keep another truck off the highway," said Mitton.

Fire District Commissioner Lewie Rich said the district has over the years tried to make do with older vehicles, but some became unrepairable because replacement parts were no longer being manufactured.

"It's repairable," Rich said of the new vehicle. "We can keep it up."

The rescue vehicle was a demonstration piece and also saw service at a North Carolina racetrack before finding a home in Bonner County. Rich estimated that a new rig with comparable features would have set the district back by as much as $490,000.

"We did extremely well," said Rich.