Flooded firetruck found to have no major damage

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 9:48 a.m.

A Las Vegas Fire Department truck trapped in a flash flood Tuesday near Gowan and Alexander roads will return to service after it dries out.

The $250,000 truck is undergoing tests and expected to return to service within days, fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski said.

The truck was responding to a motorist trapped inside a vehicle Tuesday when it was overcome by flood water, Szymanski said. The firefighters were rescued by a Metro Police helicopter crew.

A diesel motor mechanic inspected the truck on Thursday morning and it was found to have no damage to the motor or electrical system.

Damage is estimated at less than $2,000.

Much damage was avoided by a sensor switch, which monitors the air intake of the power plant. It detected a foreign object entering the motor and shut the vehicle down.

That prevented floodwaters from entering the power system and causing severe damage, Szymanski said.

The truck could be responding to emergency calls as soon as next week, Szymanski said, if it passes all tests.

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