Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department
The Twin Lakes Mental Institution originally served as a hospital for tuberculosis, opening in 1912. It was later re-purposed to house the mentally ill, those found guilty of crimes by insanity, geriatric patients, and chemically-dependent patients. The facility started off as one building on 100 acres, and grew to its current size of over 30 buildings on 400 acres and is now overseen by the Department of Corrections
The Twin Lakes Mental Institution sits in between Moon-Lit Lake and Lake Washington in the jurisdiction of Washington Heights. It is home to over 3500 patients, 1500 employees, and the countless daily visitors. Currently, the campus is comprised of 37 buildings and three multi-story parking garages, including dormitories, cooking and cleaning facilities, a power plant, a place of worship, a full service emergency room, doctor's offices, staff housing, and in and out patient treatment areas. The facility is set up and designed to be completely self sufficient, placing no burden on local resources. Twin Lakes has its own police force, in addition to security officers, public works department, facilities maintenance, and its own fire department.
The Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department was established in 1951, and originally operated a 1948 American La France 700 series pumper. The fire department has a staff of 32, which breaks down into 20 firefighters, 4 captains, 2 chief officers, 4 fire inspectors, and two administrative assistants. The TLFD operates under a 24/72 schedule, meaning the firefighters and captains work once every four days. The staffing per shift is as follows:
5 Firefighters (1 FF is the dispatcher)
1 Captain
The chief officers, inspectors, and assistants work 8 hour shifts, Monday through Friday. Currently, the 4 firefighters and Captain staff one engine.
The Twin Lakes Mental Institution sits in between Moon-Lit Lake and Lake Washington in the jurisdiction of Washington Heights. It is home to over 3500 patients, 1500 employees, and the countless daily visitors. Currently, the campus is comprised of 37 buildings and three multi-story parking garages, including dormitories, cooking and cleaning facilities, a power plant, a place of worship, a full service emergency room, doctor's offices, staff housing, and in and out patient treatment areas. The facility is set up and designed to be completely self sufficient, placing no burden on local resources. Twin Lakes has its own police force, in addition to security officers, public works department, facilities maintenance, and its own fire department.
The Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department was established in 1951, and originally operated a 1948 American La France 700 series pumper. The fire department has a staff of 32, which breaks down into 20 firefighters, 4 captains, 2 chief officers, 4 fire inspectors, and two administrative assistants. The TLFD operates under a 24/72 schedule, meaning the firefighters and captains work once every four days. The staffing per shift is as follows:
5 Firefighters (1 FF is the dispatcher)
1 Captain
The chief officers, inspectors, and assistants work 8 hour shifts, Monday through Friday. Currently, the 4 firefighters and Captain staff one engine.
Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department Engine-1
Engine 1 is a 2010 Seagrave Marauder II with a six man, air conditioned cab. This rig has a 1500 gallon per minute fire pump, 500 gallon water tank, and 30 gallons of class A foam on board. This apparatus carries standard engine company equipment, such as nozzles, hoses, fittings, and hand tools, saws, hooks, rope rescue equipment, water rescue equipment, auto-extrication equipment, and light hazmat equipment. This engine is staffed by a driver, three firefighters, and a Captain. Engine 1 responds first out to most incidents on campus, and is first out for all mutual aid runs off campus.
Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department Engine-2
Engine 2 is a 1991 Spartan/Darley Class-A pumper that formerly served as Engine 1 until the 2010 Seagrave was purchased. Powered by a 1250 gallon per minute Hale fire pump, Engine 2 also carries 1,000 gallons of water. This rig carries the standard engine company equipment, such as nozzles; fittings, hoses, and hand tools. Also onboard are saws, brush fire equipment, and auto-extrication equipment. This engine is staffed by call backs, acts as the spare engine, and is the brush fire engine.
Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department Forestry 1
Forestry 1 is a 2005 Ford F550/Pierce 4x4 Mini-Pumper. This unit is equipped with two SCBA, basic engine company tools, BLS medical equipment, and wild firefighting equipment. This unit is only staffed as needed, or is used as a "run around" type vehicle for errands and projects on campus. Forestry 1 has a 500 GPM Hale pump, a 300 gallon water tank, and a 25 gallon Class-A foam cell.
Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department Car-1
Car 1 is a 2016 Ford Expedition with a command package outfitted by Odyssey Emergency Vehicles. This vehicle is shared by the Chief and Deputy Chief of the department and serves as the vehicle for command and control functions, in addition to other department business during their work hours.
Former Apparatus of the Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department
The Twin Lakes Mental Institution Fire Department has always prided itself in preservation of fiore service history and its own history. The department is in possession of every piece of apparatus that has ever served the agency. Because of this, it is possible to see a timeline of post World War II motorized fire apparatus all the way through today's big engines.
Fleets Throughout the Years
1948 American La France 700 Series Pumper, 1000GPM/300GWT
- This unit served as Engine 1 until 1969, and then as Engine 2 until 1971 -
- This unit served as Engine 1 until 1969, and then as Engine 2 until 1971 -
1969 Seagrave K Series Pumper, 1250GPM/500GWT
- This unit served as Engine 1 until 1982, and then as Engine 2 until 1991 -
- This unit served as Engine 1 until 1982, and then as Engine 2 until 1991 -
1980 American LaFrance Century Pumper, 1500GPM/500GWT
- This unit served as Engine 1 until 1991, then as Engine 2 until 2010 -
- This unit served as Engine 1 until 1991, then as Engine 2 until 2010 -
1984 Ford C8000/Pierce, 1250GPM/750GWT