Photo Provided East Palestine Truck 1, the newest member of the East Palestine Fire Department’s fleet, is a $2.1 million Pierce Enforcer 100 Foot Ascendant Aerial Tower, outfitted by Sensible Solutions with state-of-art equipment and technology. The truck will be introduced into service at the end of July.

EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick said during the in-field National Transportation Safety Board hearing held last month at the high school, that no department can be completely prepared for something like February’s train derailment. But that doesn’t mean the village and outside entities are not doing everything they can to make sure East Palestine is better equipped moving forward.

One of those entities is Sensible Products, a Richfield-based company that manufactures and outfits bracketry, cabinets, organization products and other components to aid fire departments and first responders in servicing their communities. Sensible Products recently revamped the village’s new fire truck — a Pierce Enforcer 100 Foot Ascendant Aerial Tower — with state-of-the-art equipment and up-to-the-minute technology.

Sensible Products, which began in 1985, is owned and operated by retired fire chief Phil McLean, his daughter Brittany, and a team of firefighters. McLean was with the Richfield Fire Department for 45 years, before retiring in 2021. McLean has also served as a member and chairman of the Education Committee for the Ohio State Firefighters and a Region 5 coordinator for Ohio Fire Chiefs Water Delivery Tanker Operations, Statewide response.

The newest member of East Palestine’s fleet boasts a 2,000-gallon pump, 300-gallon capacity and 100-foot ladder that is mid-mounted and a Stokes Rescue Basket –a rescue stretcher used to both immobilize as well as transport a victim over terrain. According to the truck’s manufacturer, Pierce Manufacturing, the “compartmentation design” of East Palestine’s new truck “allows room for fluidity and growth of their department” and the mid-mount platform “best suits the needs of the East Palestine DePartment.”

Christened East Palestine Truck 1, the truck, which cost $2.1 million and was paid for by Norfolk Southern, will be put into village service at the end of this month.

Stephanie Elverd can be reached at selverd@mojonews.com.