Speedwell Fire Company shocked by insurance decision over 2001 engine

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Speedwell Fire Company’s 2001 American LaFrance fire truck, which was backed into a pole with a cement base while on call, has been listed as totaled by the company’s insurance provider despite minimal damage.

VFIS, which provides coverage to emergency service organizations, has asked for the truck’s title and will provide $75,000 in coverage for the accident.

The insurance company judged the vehicle nonrepairable due to its age and said compatible parts would be difficult to find as American LaFrance has been closed for over 10 years, according to commissioner and fire company volunteer Justin Snyder.

“The insurance carrier adjuster came out, documented the damage that was done to Engine 391, and the insurance carrier deemed Engine 391 not repairable,” said Snyder. “So essentially, the piece of apparatus that’s sitting over there, they deemed it not repairable because it’s so old, and they can’t get parts to fix it. So all the equipment that we had on that piece of apparatus is off of it, and some of it was moved onto the other rig.”

The engine was being driven by the company chief at the time of the accident.

The truck, which was shown to LebTown and County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz (who explained she has background running a body shop) following the West Lebanon Township Commissioners meeting Sept. 2, has a bent bumper and minimal if any frame damage, and still drives. Commissioners said they were shocked at VFIS’s decision.

“All of us, when they told us it was totaled, none of us could believe it,” said Jeffrey Clarke, with Michelle Testerman (who is both a commissioner and a volunteer for the fire company) echoing the same sentiment. “We still can’t believe it. It’s dealing with an insurance company, and they’re a whole different ballpark.”

The fire company purchased the engine, now with 88,000 miles, in 2021 and has undergone routine upkeep since then.

Litz encouraged the township to consider keeping the vehicle’s title to pursue repair, but Testerman voiced concerns the insurance company would no longer cover the truck if they went that route.

Resident and former commissioner John Gurganus asked if the fire company requires a backup driver to assist with pulling out of the fire station, citing his time in the military where large vehicles had multiple drivers.

Testerman said the fire company does not, and noted that the company is in need of additional volunteers, both in response to calls and other roles, such as fundraising or organization.

Litz noted that rumors have been circling about the incident and surrounding details. Township secretary Antoinette Issis said this has been the only accident reported by the fire company in the last three years.

“They were on a call,” said Testerman. “The police watched the video and the policeman stated that the engine was moving so slowly that he could not believe anything was done because it was going so slowly. There was no infractions.”

Later, responding to a question from Litz, Testerman added, “We take very good care of our equipment. This was an accident. For the community: this was an accident. These things unfortunately happen.”

The American LaFrance is one of two fire engines owned by Speedwell. The other engine, Testerman said, will “actively suffice in a fire emergency,” but the township is looking to replace the totaled engine, and is looking into used engines to avoid excessive cost.

Commissioners did not take action regarding the engine Tuesday, but indicated they are in communication with the insurance company to determine next steps.

In other news, commissioners:

• Unanimously agreed to accept an agreement with David Holm to connect 26 units to North Lebanon Township’s sewer system for the Magnolia Place development.
• Unanimously approved an ordinance vacating Scott Alley following a public hearing in July.
• Unanimously approved the purchase of three sewer grinder pumps for $19,664.06 from Slaymaker, the lowest received proposal, in order to deal with rags and other non-flushable items entering the sewer system and causing damage.
• Unanimously amended the agenda to include action on an LSA grant application, and unanimously agreed to approve the grant application.
• Heard that the township is in possession of the emergency siren and needs an electrician to complete installation.
• Unanimously approved an agreement between the township and Northern Lebanon Little League for use of the baseball field.
• Unanimously approved minutes and reports.
• Held an executive session concerning personnel matters and unanimously amended the agenda to include the session.

West Lebanon Township Board of Commissioners meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m, though they met Tuesday this week due to Labor Day. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.