Fire Department rolls out its new baby

In Saturday’s parade, La Conner’s fire department will show off the newest addition to its arsenal — a gleaming new engine loaded with modern firefighting equipment and flaunting a decal featuring the sports logo of the high school.

The engine, which has the capability to deliver 750 gallons of flame-retardant foam, with extremely high power, will give the department more than one engine and allow it to perform maintenance on its older engine.

Until now, the older engine has been the sole fire truck in the town, making it impossible to temporarily be put out of commission for extended repairs.

“When it broke down, I didn’t have an engine,” said Dan Taylor, the La Conner fire chief. “We want to give firefighters the best equipment we can.”

The new engine is fully equip-ped to address a variety of fires and other situations. Amongst its various compartments and storage spaces, the engine boasts extra oxygen tanks for half a dozen firefighters, thousands of feet of hose, a backup generator, electric and mechanical sirens, and many other tools.

The decal, which shows the La Conner High School’s trademark feathered insignia, was paid for by the department. “We wanted to show support for the Braves,” said Taylor.

The engine has yet to be taken out to fight an actual fire, but Taylor said the department was prepared to be deployed over the week, as 4th of July fireworks reach their peak.

“We ask everyone to be careful,” said Ken Jungquist, a fire fighter for the department. He noted the particular danger of some incendiary festivities: “The Chinese lanterns, they’re killers.”

Lanterns, while illegal in the Town of La Conner, are permitted in most areas of the Swinomish Reservation and have drifted across the channel into town.

The town fire department is composed entirely of volunteers, and is continually searching for new members.

“We’re short of people,” noted Taylor, saying he continually pushes for new volunteers.

Taylor also jokingly acknow-ledged the engine’s presence in the upcoming 4th of July parade. “It’s going to be a low-speed, high-congestion drill,” he said.