Waterford Police Department Humveeing Along

An Announcement from Waterford Police Department 

The Waterford Police Department applied for and received several HMMWV military surplus vehicles. These vehicles, known to us non-military personnel as HUMVEEs, were received at no cost to the town. 

The US Military runs the Disposition Logistics Agency, which in turn runs a program called the 1033. The 1033 turns over military surplus to Police and Fire Departments across the Nation free of charge. 

Due to several bad weather events that have occurred in our area (Super storm Sandy, the 2013 blizzard etc), the town of Waterford recognized the need for more 4x4 vehicles in its fleet. 

At one point during the blizzard's worst point, one of the HMMWVs was the only town vehicle capable of getting town personnel home, as well as checking communications towers and several town water pump stations. 

As the WPD tries to remain fiscally conscious, we turned to the 1033 program for the no-cost vehicles, and our community partners for donations. 

The HMMWVs were originally gone through by town mechanic Garon VanOverloop, and WPD Officer Nic Surdo, both of whom serviced these machines as mechanics in the U.S. Marines. They stated that these particular machines, out of a group they went through, were in good mechanical condition, and recommended them over numerous others. Public Works employees retrieved the vehicles, and brought them to Waterford. We thank them all for their help. 

Upon their arrival in town one of the vehicles was selected to be redone. Several businesses took interest in the vehicle, and offered donate their services to help make it functional for emergency services use. 

The vehicle is currently at Dawley's Autobody on Industrial Drive, where it is being prepared for painting as shown in the picture. SECONN metal fabrication has offered to help with powder coating some of the attachments to the vehicle as well. Faria Tachometer in Montville has offered to donate a new gauge cluster for the dashboard. 

We appreciate all the businesses that are currently involved, and are looking for more local businesses that may be interested in assisting. We are trying to make this machine a community item that is used by the Police Department. If a business would like to donate to the rehabbing of his vehicle, we would certainly appreciate it. 

If you'd like to make a personal donation, please make out a check to "WPD Contributed Gifts" and write "HUMVEE" in the note section. 

Contact Lieutenant Mahoney via direct message on Facebook, or by email at bmahoney@waterfordct.org for donations. 

The WPD is looking to add power inverters, a spray liner to the inside of the vehicle, and exterior lighting, amongst other items that will allow the vehicle to help with transport and recovery of people during bad storm events. 

As always, the WPD will use this vehicle to work in concert with our emergency services partners, the Waterford Fire Department and Waterford Ambulance Association, along with the L&M regional Paramedics. 

Assuredly you'll see it in the Waterford Week parade as well! We will continue to update the progress of the HMMWV on our Facebook page as the project moves forward.