New Fire Engine Enhances Collingswood Fire Department’s CapabilitiesNew Fire Engine Enhances Collingswood Fire Department’s Capabilities The Collingswood Fire Department has acquired a new Spartan Emergency Response S-180 2107 fire truck, significantly enhancing its firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical response capabilities. The $787,000 vehicle offers greater capacity and advanced technology compared to the department’s previous engine. The new Spartan pumper truck is shorter but meets operational requirements and has room for future expansion. It was delivered within a record-breaking 10 months, thanks to a partially custom design that reduced construction time. Mike Robertson, Campbell Supply’s district sales manager, explained that the S-180 Spartan program offers pre-built models for faster delivery and lower costs. The department can expect the new vehicle to serve for 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Fire Chief Geoff Joyce expressed the department’s gratitude for the new engine, which will replace the aging Seagrave fire pump that had been experiencing mechanical issues. “This new engine has the same capabilities as our old engine, just with more reliable technology,” said Joyce. “It was much needed and it’s going to serve the community.” The department sold its 2007 Seagrave ladder locomotive to the Camden City Fire Department to fund the Spartan purchase. Chief Joyce indicated that ladder service can be provided through mutual aid from neighboring communities. The Collingswood Fire Department plans to hold a dedication ceremony in September to unveil the new engine to the public.
Fire Chief Geoff Joyce says the Spartan S-180 2107 engine will support the department in firefighting, emergency medical response and vehicle recovery operations, but there is still room for expansion.
By Matt Skoufalos | July 2, 2024
Collingswood Fire Lt. Ed Glaze (left) and Chief Geoff Joyce receive a new pumper engine. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
The Collingswood Fire Department took delivery of a new piece of equipment Tuesday morning: a Spartan Emergency Response S-180 2107 fire truck.
The $787,000 vehicle is the newest vehicle added to the department’s fleet since it was expanded with a Seagrave pumper in 2009. The vehicle will perform firefighting, rescue and emergency medical services for the department.
At almost 9.7 metres in length, the Spartan pump truck is shorter than the Seagrave, but meets the same operational requirements and has greater capacity for growth.
It is also remarkable that the municipality was able to design, order and deliver the engine within a construction time of just 10 months.
Mike Robertson, district sales manager for Campbell Supply of South Brunswick, which assisted the department in purchasing the equipment, said Collingswood was able to shave as much as two to three years off its expected production schedule by going with a partially custom design rather than a completely custom one.
The S-180 Spartan program offers eight pre-built models of the most popular body configurations sold nationwide through its 28 dealers. That ordering process limits the available customization for those models but dramatically shortens delivery times, which still average 36 months nationwide, Fire Apparatus magazine reports.
“For a customer who needs a truck quickly, it’s possible to get it much faster than a three- to four-year delivery time,” Robertson said. “It also takes about $100,000 off the cost of a true custom truck.”
According to Robertson, the Model 2107 is the third most common unit sold by Spartan. It will be used for rescue and vehicle firefighting, as well as for fighting fires from the Collingswood Fire Station.
According to Robertson, the department can expect the new vehicle to last 15 to 20 years, with annual and preventative maintenance, and a two-year warranty, bumper to bumper.
According to Collingswood Fire Chief Geoff Joyce, the department is having trouble keeping the Seagrave fire pump running due to problems with the exhaust system.
“This new engine has the same capabilities as our old engine, just with more reliable technology,” Joyce said. “It was much needed and it’s going to serve the community.”
Last year, Collingswood sold his 2007 Seagrave ladder locomotive to the Camden City Fire Department for $125,000, which was used to cover the cost of the Spartan noise machine.
Collingswood Spartan #2107 Pumper Truck. Photo: Matt Skoufalos.
The chief has said any need for a ladder vehicle can be met through mutual aid from departments in neighboring communities such as Westmont and Oaklyn, both of which have fleets of aerial-capable vehicles.
Meanwhile, during the July 1 meeting, the city council approved the destruction of the 1983 American LaFrance engine, which had deteriorated to the point that it no longer functioned.
“This is a glorious day for the Collingswood Fire Department,” Joyce said. “Thank you to the taxpayers and the borough commissioners.”
The Collingswood Fire Department will hold a dedication ceremony in September to introduce the new engine to the public, the fire chief said.
