Beaufort News

Beaufort-Port Royal Fire’s new pumper truck cost $950,000. Here’s what the rig can do

The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department has added a new pumper truck to its fleet of firetrucks.
The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department has added a new pumper truck to its fleet of firetrucks. City of Beaufort

The Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department has added a new pumper truck to its fleet of firetrucks at a cost of $948,928.

The cost, which includes the equipment and an extended warranty, was paid for with City of Beaufort fire impact fees, a one-time charge to builders for new construction.

The Pierce Custom Enforcer PUC Pumper can pump 1,500 gallons of water a minute and has a 1,000-gallon water tank, Fire Chief Tim Ogden said. Besides the hoses, nozzles and tools needed for firefighting, the truck is outfitted with rescue tools for extrication and a cardiac monitor.

The truck will replace a 2011 Pierce Pumper that will move to reserve status. Under a fleet replacement schedule, a truck serves 10 years of front-line service and another 10 years in reserve status, the department says. A ladder truck is due for replacement next.

In October 2021, the Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Department purchased a new custom-built pumper truck at a cost of $800,000.

The latest truck was scheduled to go into service on Wednesday after a traditional wet-down ceremony at the main Fire Station, 135 Ribaut Road, where it will have its permanent home.

The Beaufort-Port Royal Fire Department, which has some 50 shift firefighters, operates out of four fire stations serving Beaufort and Port Royal.

Karl Puckett
The Island Packet
Karl Puckett covers the city of Beaufort, town of Port Royal and other communities north of the Broad River for The Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. The Minnesota native also has worked at newspapers in his home state, Alaska, Wisconsin and Montana.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER