New Delivery – Orkney Springs, Virginia
By Mike Sanders

If you attended the recent fire show in Virginia Beach, chances are you saw this interesting new fire truck delivered to Orkney Springs, Virginia.

Orkney Springs is Station 18 in Shenandoah County. Located about 10 miles off of I81 outside of Mt. Jackson, the new Wagon 18-1 is a 2009 Spartan Gladiator Evolution with a 2010 Smeal body. The delivery of Wagon 18-1 was coordinated by Keplinger Repair Service in Winchester, Virginia.

Hills and tight areas are common in the Orkney Springs area. As a result, the department required a shorter engine without a front intake to help get around the mountainous area and protect the 1,200 homes located with the Bryce Resort area, which Orkney Springs is first due.

The new Spartan/Smeal was delivered to Orkney Springs during March and is equipped with a 1500 gallon per minute pump, holds 750 gallons of water, and 20 gallons of foam. Other features include seating for six, a 10″ raised roof, 515 horsepower Detroit diesel, a LDH discharge on the right side, and a Smeal hydraulic ladder rack on the left side.

My thanks to Chief Aaron Miller for helping with all of the photographs of Wagon 18-1.