Lacey Fire District 3 boosts response with upgraded emergency fleet 

Lacey Fire District 3 will place two new pieces of equipment into service in the next 30 days.

The fire district announced on Wednesday, July 2, that the additions will expand its land-based support and water rescue operations. 

The Incident Support Unit (ISU 31), identified by the district as “the oldest vehicle in frontline fleet,” is being retired. It is being replaced by a 2023 Ford F-550 4x4 chassis equipped with a Braun-built rehab module. ISU 31 is configured to support firefighter recovery and on-scene operations during extended incidents. 

The vehicle also features an exterior awning to provide for shade and exterior access compartments for rehabilitation equipment for first responders.

The compartments house gear needed for rapid responder cooling, rest and staging at fire scenes or high-temperature events. The truck also carries “30 air cylinders for firefighter self-contained breathing apparatus," the fire district said. 

The addition will help responders stay in hazard zones by replacing empty air tanks during active calls. The added cylinder load allows uninterrupted SCBA rotation with no need for off-site resupply. 

The second upgrade involves the district’s Water Rescue Team. Two 2024 Ski-Doo units were purchased this year and are scheduled to enter service in August.  

The watercrafts are identified as Ski 1 and Ski 2. They are mounted side by side on a shared trailer for single-vehicle transport and rapid launch.

The trailer is designed for easy deployment, and its setup enables one towing vehicle to deliver both units directly to the shoreline without additional equipment. 

The skis are built for forward and reverse throttle control and include shallow-water flushing systems that clear the jet motors after operating in silted or debris-filled areas. 

The craft is notably larger than recreational watercraft. The larger build was selected to provide improved balance during rescue retrievals, allowing responders to maintain stability when transferring victims or operating in turbulent conditions. 

The district noted that the design is suited for response in both lake environments and Puget Sound. The new marine units are expected to increase reach and reduce the time-to-water period during active calls.  

The rehab vehicle and rescue skis are scheduled to enter full service by August. No additional information was released on acquisition costs, nor specific deployment sites.