Video: Iowa Fire Engine Struck by Livestock Trailer

WATERLOO, Iowa -- It will be several weeks before a damaged Waterloo fire engine can get to the manufacturer's shop for repairs, so firefighters are working on a temporary fix to get it operational.

Engine No. 306 was struck by a livestock trailer while it was parked on U.S. Highway 20 where firefighters were handling a car fire in fog about 4:55 a.m. on Aug. 27.

No one was injured, but the impact damaged the engine's rear driver's side, and fire officials estimate the repair will run $30,000 to $50,000.

The truck, built in 2002 by Pierce Manufacturing of Wisconsin, cost $600,000 new.

There currently are four other damaged engines waiting to be serviced by Pierce's repair shop in Weyauwega, Wis., said Pat Treloar, Waterloo's chief of fire services.

Engine No. 306's bumper was removed, and the fire department's in-house mechanic had to take off a side equipment door where rescue saws are kept.

Treloar said they will rebuild the bumper, repair the hatch and fix the lights so the truck can handle calls until it's time to go to Wisconsin.

According to the accident report, Gerald Ehrig, 79, of Grundy Center, was heading east on Highway 20 in a pickup truck when his 30-foot trailer struck the engine, which was parked on the right shoulder.

Fire officials said the engine had its flashing lights on and was parked with part of its back end in the travel lane to protect firefighters who were on the call.

Ehrig told police he didn't see the engine and didn't realize he struck it until he traveled a short distance.

No citations were issued, according to the accident report.

Copyright 2012 - Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa

McClatchy-Tribune News Service