Delaware Fire News Article - December 2018 Edition

Story by:  Bob Romig

Antique Corner Article - Indian River's 1968 Mack R-Model

I’ve been busy with some other projects but wanted to get back to doing this article. We are going down to Sussex County to the Oak Orchard/Long Neck area of Millsboro. Our featured apparatus is Engine 80-3 of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, a 1968 Mack R600 model pumper purchased new by the IRVFC at a cost of only $30,000. This rig was built by Mack in Allentown (PA) and carries the following manufacture’s numbers. Chassis: R611F/Serial# T010. It is powered by a Mack diesel engine, has a five-speed manual transmission, 1000-gpm Waterous pump, 750-gallon booster tank, two-man cab (you rode on the back step back in those days) with side compartment mounted SCBA devices. This unit has been in service for 50 years and, as of July 23, 2018, had only 49,958 road miles on her and only 1952 engine pumping hours. This unit was refurbished by 4 Guys in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.

It is still used for parades, usually the DVFA Convention parade, local parades, car/truck shows, public appearances for local organizations and fire prevention education programs for the local schools in their district. It is also used as a funeral caisson for fire company and ladies’ auxiliary members to Pot Nets, you passed the substation in Long Neck and probably when needed. stopped in to see who was hanging around. Some of the older members when needed.

This unit responded in their local fire district as the first piece out for many years.  Any of us that had summer homes in Pot Nets can remember seeing this rig at various times.  If you were on the way back to Pot Nets, you may pass the substation in Long Neck and probably stopped in to see who was hanging around.  Some of the older members of IRVFC might remember the Saulsbury Chevy light rescue that I sold them when I was working for A&P (Austin & Pruitt) who was the WLF and Saulsbury dealer in Delaware. This would probably have been back in the mid-70s.

Ok, let’s fast forward to the new 80-3 which replaced the old Mack.  In 2007 they purchased a 2007 Spartan, eight-man cab pumper with a 2000-gpm pump and 1250-gallons of water at a cost of $442,000!  Quite a difference in price but, of course, more engine, water pump size and manpower room.  How many years do you think they will get out of this modern piece of equipment? I don’t think it will be here in 2057, do you?

One question for our younger firefighters.  How many of you could drive the old five-speed manual transmission vehicle?  Not many I bet.  Hopefully, IRVFC is training some of the younger member how to drive this old girl and keep her running for another 25 years. 

I would like to thank President Miller and the members of the IRVFC for providing me with the information needed to do this article.

As a side note, I think there are still some antique rigs in the state that I haven’t yet reported on but hope to contact some of you as I will have more time next year after retiring from working with the MOUSE!

 Indian River VFC Comments:  Bob Romig is a firefighter from Five Points Fire Company in New Castle County and relocated to Florida after retirement and works for Disney.  Indian River thanks Bob and the Delaware Fire Service News for their work on this project.

 Additional information via Indian River’s website:

(1)    1968 Mack Engine #80-3 – http://www.irvfc.com/apparatus/detail/4613

(2)    Engines #80-3 – Old vs. New - http://www.irvfc.com/apparatus/detail/4631

(3)    2007 Spartan Engine #80-3 - http://www.irvfc.com/apparatus/detail/4624

Ancillary information referenced in this article regarding Rescue 80 – 1976 Chevrolet Rescue Truck with Saulsbury Walk In - http://www.irvfc.com/apparatus/detail/4638