Elgin firefighters scorch tradition with flashy truck

By JAN TUTEN
Camden Bureau

ELGIN

So who says a firetruck’s gotta be red?

The firefighters of Elgin decided they wanted their new one pained jet black. Then they emblazoned the sides with the white-scripted word “Blaney,” the name of their department.

Then they added purple pinstripes and polished chrome. To be a little conventional, they used red upholstery.

“It breaks the mold,” said David Bagwell, chief of the department of two dozen volunteers.

The new tanker / pumper is one example of how volunteer firefighters in Kershaw County and throughout the state are dealing with declining revenues, Kershaw County Fire Marshal, Gary Elliott said.

The rural fire service has increased its fleet by three trucks this year, salvaging and upgrading discards from the county and Du Pont’s May Plant, said Elliott, who also serves as the state’s 5th District fire commissioner.

Blaney’s, however, looks tough enough to compete with any rig on the highway. It debuted last week at the state Fire Marshal’s Convention in Sumter.

Kershaw County gave the 1985 chassis truck, which was headed for sale at an auction, to the fire service. Conversion into a tanker cost $30,000, while a new truck would have cost at least $100,000, Elliott said.

“Gary brought us a garbage truck and said, “This is going to be a fantastic firetruck.” I just laughed at the boss,” Bagwell said.

But the firefighters gathered around the drawing board. The result: While many tankers only carry water to fires, this one can pump it as well. The truck holds 2,500 gallons of water and can pump 500 gallons of water a minute.

Everything on the truck meets National Fire Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, Elliott said.

Bagwell thinks it’s just downright pretty.

“My wife says I take better care of it than the family car,” he said as he whisked specks of dust off the side.

A black fire truck had been featured in a trade magazine, which gave the firefighter the idea. Visibility is enhanced by lights and tape.

Bagwell said he’s grateful council gave the firefighter the freedom to build their tanker the way they wanted. The truck designs throughout the county, Elliott said.

“It’s been a big morale booster,” Bagwell said.

“Firefighter are professionals, wand when you spend so much time being professional, you don’t want to become hum-drum. So we broke out. Boy, Did we break out.”

Blaney’s souped-up firetruck is black with a purple strip.