Undercliff VFC History Series - #5
This week on the History of Undercliff VFC, we'll finish out the history of our vehicle fleet with the millennium era from 1999 to present!
As Undercliff VFC was preparing to enter the new millennium, it was once again time for Undercliff to upgrade it's fleet and progress forward. So in late 1999, a 2000 Freightliner FL112 4 Guys Pumper was ordered to replace the Mack pumper from Cherry City. This unit would go on to serve the station for many years. A few years later, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck was purchased as the new 264 Squad to replace the old Ford van. This unit is still in service today as our squad.
Then, in 2005 it was time to once again upgrade a vehicle to expand capabilities and service for the community. A decision was made that it was time to replace the 1978 Aerialscope with a new tower ladder. The company voted to purchase a 2004 100 foot KME Aerialcat tower ladder to serve as the new 264 Truck. This vehicle would be the first and only 100 foot ladder truck in the township of Shaler. At this same time the 1991 Mack SOV was sold to Hudson Falls Fire Department in New York. Shortly after the massive flooding of Hurricane Ivan, Undercliff saw an opportunity again to innovate and better serve the community. So in the mid-2000s a flood trailer was added that contained many resources for flooding and minor water rescue. This fleet of vehicles would remain the main fleet for many years.
In 2017, the KME Aerial underwent a minor refurbishment to correct some body issues while also upgrading the emergency lighting to increase firefighter safety on scene. The vehicle was also repainted to "Undercliff Red" to match the existing fleet. In 2018, the company was once again looking to expand it's capabilities and provide a better and more efficient service. The company moved forward with purchasing a 1992 Mack MR/Saulsbury Walk in Rescue from the Adams Area Fire District. This unit, designated 264 SOV was set up as a multipurpose unit. It would carry all the flooding response equipment from the old flood trailer and also be set up with a full compliment of hydraulic rescue tools for rescue incidents.
As the COVID-19 pandemic was calming down and bingo was reopening, Undercliff VFC started to explore options for replacing the Freightliner pumper which was now over 20 years old. So in 2021, Undercliff VFC voted to enter into a contract with Seagrave Fire Apparatus to build the new 264 Engine. The company was impressed with the quality of work Seagrave does and decided this would be the best choice for the new pumper. In 2023, the old Freightliner pumper was sold to Carroll County Fire Department in Tennessee. Unfortunately it would only go on to serve a couple months before it was destroyed in a catastrophic fire in one of Carroll County's fire stations. Lastly in the fall of 2023, Undercliff VFC saw another opportunity to fill a gap in service in the area for incidents in the many parks and other hard to access areas in Shaler. A company decision was made to purchase a 2024 Polaris Ranger UTV for brush fires, physical rescues, and more. The vehicle is equipped with a 75 gallon tank, water pump, and stokes basket set up for patient transport.
As you can see over the last few weeks of our history sessions, Undercliff VFC has gone through many changes through the years. We are always looking ahead for ways to innovate and provide the best possible service we can to those we serve. We are extremely proud of our roots here at Undercliff and its important to remember your past. While the vehicles may of changed, the mission never did. Our mission has and always will be to provide our residents, visitors, and businesses with first class fire and rescue services. Thanks to all your support and generosity through the years, we hope to be able to do this for the next 115 years! Thanks for following along in the "History of Undercliff VFC" series! Stay tuned for more fun facts and posts as we continue through our 115th Anniversary year! 
