PHOTOS: West Pierce Fire & Rescue Unveils Its New Boat, 'Endeavor'

Some of you may have noticed a new boat spraying water along the waterfront.  The “Endeavor,” is West Pierce Fire & Rescue’s new fire boat and was purchased utilizing grant funds.

Prior to the merger creating West Pierce, University Place Fire Department historically had a saltwater response vessel, but when the last one became obsolete, funding was unavailable to replace it.

In 2012, West Pierce Fire & Rescue received two grants which allowed them to purchase the fireboat which is capable of providing emergency response across the fire district’s South Puget Sound border. The grant funding not only paid for the vessel, but also all the necessary equipment and initial training of department personnel.

“The Endeavor” is a regional asset that will be used to provide fire and emergency medical response on the water in the South Puget Sound.  West Pierce has also entered into a contract with Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One to pay for some maintenance and moorage costs of the vessel, as the fireboat will also respond to their shoreline incidents. Cooperative contracts like this provide the district with revenue to help offset some of the ongoing costs of the boat.

Training is currently underway and should be completed by the end of March. West Pierce Fire & Rescue is hoping to commission the boat by late April or early May.

-West Pierce Fire & Rescue