There's only room for one Big Leo in the town of Sharpsburg and it's here. Such is the nickname given to Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department's newest addition, a 2016 Spartan Legend Series pumper fire truck, recently purchased for almost $400,000.
The town bought the new vehicle to replace the original Big Leo, a 1985 Ford Pierce truck that, at more than 30 years old, was outdated, according to fire Chief Lou Costanzo.
The new truck had a starting price of $349,000, and Sharpsburg volunteer firefighters outfitted it with some upgrades that took the final price to $399,981.
A main goal was to make it a safer ride than the previous truck.
“The safety features that come with it are incredible,” said Costanzo.
One of the department's firefighters, Larry Wiest, agrees, saying old Big Leo was “very primitive,” including no real seat belts.
The new truck, purchased from First Out Specialty Vehicles and Equipment in Moon, has rollover protection, airbags and a computer system, among other things, said Wiest, 29.
“I'm very pleased with the result. This truck is incredible,” said Wiest, who joined the fire department at age 15. He said getting the truck was “like going to Kennywood.”
Costanzo, who has been with the department for 40 years, put Wiest and other firefighters at the department in charge of picking out a new truck. Because he said he'll retire sooner or later, he wanted the purchase to be a learning process for the younger department members. He provided some direction and set the guidelines and what they could afford.
“This is going to be their truck,” said Costanzo, who also serves on Sharpsburg Council.
The Spartan actually is a demonstration model they saw at the 29th Annual Pittsburgh Fire Rescue and EMS Expo in March.
It joins three other vehicles at the Sharpsburg VFD, including a ladder truck, a squad car and a pumper truck, which was donated by the Parkview Volunteer Fire Department last year. In turn, the old Big Leo will be donated to another fire department, said Costanzo. Despite its outdated safety features, he said, it's still in great shape and can be used by a department in need.
The all-volunteer department serves Sharpsburg's approximately 3,500 residents and businesses, covering a little less than 1 square mile, according to the fire department's website.
The department also provides mutual-aid support to Aspinwall, Blawnox, Etna, Millvale, Shaler and O'Hara.
Costanzo said about 20 volunteers serve the department, but they are always looking for more.
Sharpsburg officials held a public hearing June 7 to get any comments on the truck purchase. Costanzo said that is a usual process, because Sharpsburg officially is the owner of the truck. The department, located at 1611 Main St., received a state loan, and some of the funding will come from local taxes and fundraising.
“It's the residents' truck. You call for the fire truck, this is what's coming,” said Costanzo.
Natalie Beneviat is a Tribune-Review contributor.
