City’s fireboat, ‘Sophie Masloff,’ arrives
Pittsburgh has its first fireboat since 1973.
The city’s Bureau of Fire on Wednesday posted a photo and short video on its Facebook page of the boat, named “Sophie Masloff.” Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler confirmed the boat is here.
“The only thing I am authorized to tell you is that the fireboat has arrived,” Ms. Toler said in an email. “We have not inspected it yet. We will officially announce our plans next week.”
The city agreed in December to accept a $542,750 proposal from Superior, Wis.-based Lake Assault Boats for the vessel. According to the proposal, the boat will include sonar, “forward-looking infrared cameras” and a state-of-theart electronic suite. It would be able to pump 3,000 gallons of water per minute and supply water to onshore operations.
Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl E. Jones has said the 34foot boat will be docked on the Monongahela River near SouthSide Works.
An agreement with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators will include fireboat training for 100 city firefighters, according to Chief Jones. He said firefighters stationed in Hazelwood, Hays and the South Side Flats — and perhaps those from a fourth station — are in line for the training.
The fireboat was to have arrived by June 30. It’s unclear what might have caused the delay. Chief Jones has said he hopes to have the boat ready in time for the EQT Three Rivers Regatta, scheduled for Aug. 4-6.
The boat was named after Pittsburgh’s only female mayor, Sophie Masloff, who died in 2014.