California gets new ATV following concerns amid Pike Run bridge closure

Mayor Frank Stetar, a volunteer firefighter, said they had concerns after an incident closed the only entrance into Coal Center.

By MATT PETRAS
For the MVI

California Borough obtained a new off-road emergency fire vehicle after an incident in which a train blocked traffic for more than two hours made officials worry about how similar future cases could impact medical emergencies.

Pike Run Bridge No. 1, a historical structure that connects California and Coal Center boroughs, closed in early 2023 due to damage to its structure, and construction has been proposed to start in late 2026.

After kids left a plastic rain barrel on the tracks, according to California Borough Mayor Frank Stetar, the long train had to be stopped for inspection, blocking the only entrance for vehicles into Coal Center.

“The question arose, what if there was a medical emergency or a fire or something?” Stetar said. “What are we going to do?”

Stetar reached out to Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman for assistance. About a month ago, using Act 13 funding, the county purchased a side-by-side vehicle with firetruck-like functions for the borough to have on hand in case of emergencies springing out of potential future situations like the train blockage.

“They were very easy to work with. (Sherman) was like, ‘absolutely, we can do that.’ We went through the process of bidding it out,” Stetar said. “All of the commissioners voted to purchase it through Act 13, so no local taxpayer money.”

After obtaining it, the borough completed the certification process for someone to use it and applied removable lettering and graphics. The county will give the country free access to the truck until the bridge reopens, according to Stetar.

“It’s basically a miniature firetruck,” Stetar said. “I can haul a hose so we can hook up to a hydrant if there’s a fire. It can haul patient stretchers if there’s a medical emergency. It’s pretty amazing.”

If something like the train incident happens again, or if any other need comes about, the borough will use the vehicle.

“It’s a full-fledged firetruck, so it has lights, sirens and everything else on it. So if we need to use it in town, we can,” Stetar said. “The railroad is also willing to help us get a trailer for it, so if there’s an out-of-town forest fire or field fire that we need to go to, we can put it on a trailer and take it with us.”

However, the borough has not yet had the need to use it.

“Thankfully, no,” Stetar said.