For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield Utilities (MU), in a cooperative agreement with the Marshfield Fire & Rescue Department, recently donated two foam fire suppression trailers.

The trailers were acquired by MU in 2010 following the construction of the M-1 Peak Power Generating Facility, which included two 75,000-gallon diesel storage tanks. Because of the amount of fuel stored at the site, MU purchased the two foam trailers at a cost of nearly $100,000. Foam fire suppression is used most often in battling fuel fires. The trailers were for use by Marshfield Fire & Rescue at the M-1 site or other locations where foam was needed.

Now fully depreciated, Marshfield Fire & Rescue will assume ownership of the foam trailers from MU.

“We see this as a way of giving back to the community,” said MU General Manager Bob Trussoni. “The extra level of safety offered to the community because of these trailers is not afforded to most communities like Marshfield.”

Marshfield Fire & Rescue Chief Bob Haight said this was an important addition to the department’s firefighting equipment.

“Most fire departments are using small foam tanks within their engines or pulling foam from small individual buckets,” Haight said. “We’re grateful to have these trailers available to our department and to be able to use them in nearby communities where we have mutual aid agreements.”

The titles to the two foam fire suppression trailers were presented to the fire department during the Jan. 26 Marshfield Common Council meeting.