The city has opened a new firehouse at the Provo Municipal Airport and equipped it with a new engine that has the capability of fighting aircraft-type fires.

Airport Director Jim Mathis arranged for the city to purchase the engine as surplus property from the Salt Lake International Airport. The city also purchased another engine that will be used for spare parts.With increased traffic at the airport, Mathis said there is potential for an accident and airport officials need to be prepared.

The 32-foot-long vehicle has two pumps that can pump 1,000 gallons per minute. The engine carries 3,000 gallons of water and 250 gallons of fire retardant foam concentrate. It combines the water and foam to produce 15,000 gallons of retardant foam. The engine has five different mechanisms to spray the retardant. It also has special equipment designed specifically to deal with aircraft fires.

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Personnel from Station Four will be travel to the airport to operatethe new engine. Fire Chief Rod Jones said firefighters can travel to the airport and be operating the engine in about four or five minutes after receiving a call.

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