Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Receives additional funding for lake safety measures

 

TRYON—The Tryon Fire Department recently purchased a new fire truck and received more funding to enhance safety measures around Lake Lanier.

The fire department announced the addition of a new 2024 Pierce Enforcer Engine, officially designated as Tryon Engine 27, earlier this month. This modern engine features a 750-gallon water tank and a 1,500-gallon-per-minute Hale pump. It also has six pre-connect attack lines, ensuring swift response capabilities, and carries 1,000 feet of supply line for efficient water supply management. The new engine will replace the department’s 2008 Pierce Sabre Engine, which will transition to a backup and rescue role while still being utilized. 

The new apparatus’s advanced technology and safety features, including enhanced suspension, ear protection, and an updated radio communications system, mark a significant upgrade for the department. 

“Tryon Fire Department is excited to welcome our new flagship, Engine 27,” said TFD Public Information Officer Steven Siler. “With this apparatus, we will respond to all hazards with even more capability and effectiveness, with greater safety to our personnel and community. We are grateful for our town and leadership for supporting this purchase and placing their trust in us.”

Officials say the new engine will serve on the frontlines for the next 10 to 15 years, with an expected operational life of over 20 years, either as the first-out or second-out engine for the Tryon district. The process of purchasing the engine began in 2021 at $852,000.

Additionally, the department received approval for a millage increase earlier this year, with the Greenville County Council approving a property tax hike of six and one-tenth mills this past September. This funding will primarily support the Foothills Fire Service Area.

Fire Chief Josh Walton said that a portion of the new funding will be allocated toward purchasing a boat for emergency operations on Lake Lanier. The department plans to upgrade equipment for its dive-certified firefighters, ensuring they are well-prepared for various water rescue scenarios.

“With the right equipment, we’ll be able to access the lake quickly, getting personnel on the water in just ten minutes,” Walton explained. “Currently, it can take 20 to 30 minutes unless we utilize a civilian’s boat.”

The Tryon Fire Department responds to approximately 50 to 60 incidents around Lake Lanier annually, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced capabilities.

“This funding is going to vastly improve our operations on the water,” Walton said. “We’ll be able to have divers in the water within 15 minutes instead of the typical 30 to 45 minutes it takes in emergency situations without proper equipment.”

With these upgrades, the Tryon Fire Department is poised to provide more effective and timely assistance to those in need, ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in Tryon and Lake Lanier.