May 13, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2003-21)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
R. Steve Huffman
Public Information Officer
(251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813
E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org
RIBBON CUTTING FOR NEW FIRE-RESCUE BOAT LAUNCH
Mobile Fire-Rescue Officials and Councilman Ben Brooks will be conducting a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new boat launch Thursday, May 15, 2003, thanks to donations by concerned businessmen in the Mobile area. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 9:00 a.m. at the launch site located at Scenic River Yacht Basin, which is located on Scenic Drive off Clubhouse Road. The site will be the launching point of one of the three (3) Sonic Jet Fire-Rescue Boats operated by the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department.
Councilman Brooks was instrumental in getting the land and materials donated so the launch was possible. Dean McCrary of McCrary Imports donated the land and Mike Wigman of Wigman's Hardware donated the materials and manpower to build the launch.
Crews from the L.L. Petrey Fire Station (Engine 20) located at 3471 Dauphin Island Parkway will operate the boat in the event of an incident. The remaining two Fire-Rescue Boats are located at Melton Fire Station (Engine 8/Truck 17), 57 South Lafayette Street and Seelhorst Station (Engine 7/Rescue 7), 5525 Commerce Boulevard, East.
Mobile Fire-Rescue Department took delivery of the boats in June of 2002. The boats which are approximately 12 foot in length and 7 foot in height and are equipped with a Mercury Marine Sport Jet 175 XR (175 horsepower) engine, dual 16 gallon fuel tanks, a Mercury Marine Single Stage Axial 750 gallons per minute (GPM) Fire Pump and other rescue and fire equipment. The boats have seating for three (3) and a place for a patient to be strapped in on a backboard. The boats are capable of fighting fire as well as provide medical attention to injured or sick on the water. Two firefighter/firemedics will be assigned to operate the boats during missions or special events.
A picture can be found attached to this release at the department's web site at http://www.ci.mobile.al.us/firedept/
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