TRUCK COMPANY

Mattituck Fire Department's Reliable Engine Co 2 started out as just another one of the notable "Engine Companies" serving the Mattituck community. Over time new tools and tactics were developed, and a need for one of the departments trucks to specialize, and carry this equipment became evident. This great honor became Company 2's responsibility. Company 2 is now the departments Heavy Rescue Company.

A 1946 Ward LaFrance was one of our 1st trucks. An old demand valve resuscitator was the first piece of rescue equipment carried by the engine company. This truck served with distinction and was transferred to a newly formed company 8-6-6. The Ward was replaced with a 1969 Young Fire Equipment pumper. This truck was a standard pumper design with basic compartments. At this time a Hand operated "Portable Power " rescue tool, ( the for-runner to the "Jaws of Life") and a electric powered Target saw was added to the tools for the truck. When it was time to retire and replace 8-6-2 after 22 years of service to the community the truck had added many new tools such as a motorized Hurst tool, (Jaws of Life), An Electric powered Hurst tool, Hurst Rams, Air tools, and all of the support equipment needed to safely operates these tools. They were stored in any nook and cranny, and you might have to empty 2 or 3 compartments to get all of the equipment together to due the job at hand. This Engine was finally retired from service in 1991. It is also important to note that in the early 1970's the company got its nickname from Ex Chief Pete Coleman. He was a member of the company, and coined the phrase Reliable Engine Co 2, however the old timers don't remember why.

Today 8-6-2 is a 1991 Pierce Lance Rescue Pumper. This truck took over a year to design and build. It was the first truck designed to carry all of the current tools in 1991, but also spaced to add tools. Since 1991 the company has continued to add tools and is almost to max capacity. Unit 8-6-11 was added to company 2 as a support truck. 8-6-11 is a 1990 Ford Super Duty Custom Utility Truck. 8-6-11 carries containment equipment for minor spills. It has a 100KW generator, scene lighting, can be used to power the Fire Dept, Electric Wells, and an Emergency shelter if necessary. The services of 8-6-11 were utilized by FDNY during the rescue and recovery effort at ground zero, Sept 2001.

Reliable Engine Company 2 has a well seasoned crew with many years of experience to complement the Mattituck Fire Dept. The company stands ready to answer the call to duty to protect the lives and property of community.

DUTIES AND EQUIPMENT
1991 "Pierce" Lance Rescue Pumper Built on a custom Pierce Chassis

1990 Ford Super Duty Custom Utility Body.
Heavy rescue, Primary search and rescue, Forcible entry, Ventilation, Securing utilities, and Fire Attack if necessary.

1250 gal/min Waterous Pump, 25kw Hydraulic generator, 12000lb winch, and an onboard air system to power air operated tools. A 750 Gal. water tank. 20 gal foam tank. 3 gas powered Hurst tool power units. 1 electric Hurst tool power unit. 1 32B Hurst tool spreader. 1-40" Hurst spreader, 1-Maverick combination Hurst tool, 1-O-Cutter, 1-Extractor Cutter, 3 Hurst Rams. 1 Chainsaw, 1 Partner Saw. 1 Echo quickie vent saw. 1 Electric sawzall. 1 Battery operated sawzall. 1 Air powered wizzer saw. 1 Air chisel. 4 Air bags. 1 Gas detector. 1 Heat detector. 1 Thermal imaging camera and remote viewing base station. 6 Scott air packs. 2 - 1 ¾" attack lines. 1 Duce and ½" Attack line. 800 ft of 2 ½" supply hose. 250 ft of 3/8" air hose. Assorted hand tools and support equipment. 

DUTIES AND EQUIPMENT
Ladder 8, nicknamed "High and Mighty" by her company members is one of the newest pieces of equipment purchased by the District. Put into service in July of 2007, this truck has caused the entire Fire Department to adjust its' way of fighting fires. Engine operators are now told to leave room in front of any buildings that they respond to as the Ladder needs to be placed carefully in front of any burning structures in order ot maximize her effectiveness.

Prior to her arrival, first and second due Engines placed their pumpers close to the structures as there was no need to leave room for later arriving trucks. Due to her massive size, that is not now the case. Room is needed to safely deploy the stabilizer 'feet' as well as to keep her out of soft ground areas that might cause her to get stuck.

Many people ask why we would need a 95 foot ladder when the talled buildings in the area are no higher than 30 - 35 feet? In Tower operations, it's not about height, it's about reach. Trucks need to park out of collapse zones of buildings, this would be approximately 30 feet, placing firefighters on a roof for a ventilation operation, or rescuing victims from second (or higher) floor windows can sometimes be faster and simpler using the bucket.
In addition, the 4 inch nozzle, allows operators to place large amounts water or foam on fires from above, sometimes seeing flare ups that can't be seen from the ground.

This truck is also the Department "tool box", carrying numerous tools that are needed for forced entry, securing utilities, ventilation and salvage operations. 

After several years of training and use, members of the Truck Company are still evaluating how to further maximize the uses of this versatile piece of equipment and adding other equipment to better safeguard the community as well as the Department members.