Donated Derby FD Utility Truck Comes In Handy

A Derby Fire Department custom-equipped utility truck got quite a workout during Sunday’s heavy rain.

The fire department was called for a public assist job at the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant on Division Street, a property that floods during just about every heavy rain.

Firefighters arrived at about 11:30 a.m. and found a few feet of water in the parking lot, which sits at a low point off of (and a few feet below) Division Street.

Anytime there are a few rain drops, there’s a few feet of water in that parking lot,” East End Hose firefighter Justin Brunyansky said. They have their own sump pumps in place and they have portable pumps, but it’s not enough,” he said.

Luckily, the department has what firefighters call a utility” truck, one that carries all sorts of extra gear and specialized equipment.

The truck — donated purchased by the Derby Fire Department a few years back — was especially handy during the parking lot flood.

The utility truck was obtained through the Regional Water Authority, and it was re-equipped and customers by firefighters to meet the department’s needs.

The East End Hose put in a bid of some $3,000 for the truck and were reimbursed through the Derby Fire Department.

On top of carrying pumps and assorted other equipment to the scene, the utility truck has a hydraulic system that can power pumps all day.

Sunday was the first time they were able to use the powerful hydraulic pump.

It’s very site specific. Basically, it was made for that type of pump out,” Brunyansky said.

CORRECTION: This story initially said the truck was donated. East End Hose submitted a bid and was reimbursed through the city’s fire department budget account.

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