By Ricky Riley

Ladder trucks come in various sizes and lengths depending on the manufacturer. They also have a tendency to grow in size after a committee works to squeeze in as many tools and equipment as possible. Then it tries to add as many functions as possible to enhance its all-hazard status out on the street.

Some ladder trucks can become monsters and can certainly break the bank. So, the build of a simple, small, compact truck designed to do “truck work” was a privilege to see.

Approval to Build

In 2016, the Prince George’s County (MD) Fire/EMS Department was approved by the county government for a ladder truck replacement at its Oxon Hill fire station. Prince George’s County is located right outside of Washington, D.C., and is one of the nation’s largest combination departments. Chief Benjamin Barksdale leads more than 850 career firefighters and paramedics and 1,500 volunteer firefighters who operate out of 45 stations. The county protection district covers more than 500 square miles, and the department responds to more than 150,000 calls for service each year. The volume of responses is anticipated to grow because of the rapid pace at which the county is growing in industry and housing over the next couple of years. This particular station has a very diverse building stock in its first due. These structures include many single-family dwellings, large garden apartment projects, the National Harbor, and the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on the banks of the Potomac River. Oxon Hill’s Truck 821 is one of the county’s busiest truck companies and was previously operating a 2005 Seagrave 100-foot rear-mount aerial.

The project to replace this rig took many people to ensure money was correctly allocated and the right apparatus was selected. So, putting together the right team to have the best end product was the direction from Barksdale and the deputy chief of support services, Joe Cardello. The department had used the Pierce Arrow and Velocity chassis for its latest order. During these delivery times, Pierce came out with the Enforcer chassis. The frame rails on this chassis are 10 inches high rather than the 13 inches that the department had previously used. There was a lot of discussion over this change within the department overall and the maintenance division. But in the end, the decision was made to go with the Enforcer cab. This frame height reduction also helped with a height issue at the Oxon Hill fire station. The department is pleased with the Enforcer cab and currently has six engines on order with the same cab as the truck and hopes to have them out in the field very soon.

PGFD Truck 821

• 39-foot 8-inch overall length

• 230.5-inch wheelbase

• 11-foot 8-inch overall height

• 147 inches of body past center axle

• 68,000-pound GVWR

• 20,000-pound front axle

• 48,000-pound rear axle

• Electronic stability control

• Detroit DD13 525-horsepower motor

• Allison transmission

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Posted: Mar 30, 2018

Clallam County woman testifies in trial for arson, other charges

A woman tearfully described a romantic relationship that spiraled out of control at the trial of a Sedro-Woolley man who allegedly sent her abusive text messages, left threatening voice mails and set her Beaver-area house on fire on New Year’s Day 2016 while she was in Florida. Marshall Jay Lewis, a 38-year-old registered sex offender, was in the third day of Clallam County Superior Court proceedings before Judge Brian Coughenour on Wednesday.
- PUB DATE: 3/30/2018 10:32:10 AM - SOURCE: Port Angeles Peninsula Daily News

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$1.5m Federal Grant For Round Rock Tackles Opioid Use, Mental Health

Posted: Mar 30, 2018

$1.5m Federal Grant For Round Rock Tackles Opioid Use, Mental Health

Austin American-Statesman

The Round Rock Fire Department has received a $1.5 million state grant to more efficiently and effectively help in opioid-related calls. Half of the federal grant provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be used to provide naloxone - otherwise known as Narcan, which is used to reverse drug overdoses - to all police and fire departments within the county.

Read more at Austin American-Statesman

Half of the federal grant provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be used to provide naloxone — otherwise known as Narcan, which is used to reverse drug overdoses — to all police and fire departments within the county.

The other half of the grant will be used for several purposes including providing personnel from Williamson County’s mobile outreach team to be stationed at Round Rock Fire Station No. 6 at 2919 Joe DiMaggio Blvd.

Members of the team — which helps residents with mental health issues — will assist in drug-related emergency calls and other incidents involving behavioral issues.

The grant also funds coaches who provide help with people recovering from overdoses.

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Mayor: $150K rescue truck to improve public safety

Posted: Mar 30, 2018

Mayor: $150K rescue truck to improve public safety

Houston Chronicle

As Humble officials exited City Hall after the March 15 council meeting, they were greeted by the Humble Fire Department's brand new 2018 rescue truck. The vehicle was parked just outside the door with its lights on - displaying one of its useful emergency features. The vehicle arrived a week prior to the unveiling.

Read more at Houston Chronicle

The vehicle was parked just outside the door with its lights on – displaying one of its useful emergency features. The vehicle arrived a week prior to the unveiling.

This new compact truck will save time, resources and maintenance costs, said Devin Pedersen, driver operator and paramedic for the Humble Fire Department. The emergency truck will also be used haul extra oxygen tanks and other additional supplies and equipment fire fighters may require in the field.

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Center Township breaks ground on fire station

Posted: Mar 30, 2018

Center Township breaks ground on fire station

Thenewsdispatch

La PORTE - Dozens of public officials, firefighters and community leaders are celebrating the start of construction on a $2.4 million fire station for Center Township. Work on the 12,000-square-foot station, located on 8 acres along the south side of Johnson Road just west of the Indiana Toll Road, will begin immediately.

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he new station will replace the existing facility, which was built in 1958.

Despite a number of improvements and additions to the station over the years, the township long ago outgrew both the lot and the 9,500-square-foot building, Pierzakowski said.

The new station offers several advantages over the existing facility, not the least of which is the ability to house the township’s growing fleet of emergency response vehicles using drive-thru bays.

Showers, sleeping quarters and meeting space have been included. The plan allows for an additional bay and more meeting space, if necessary, Pierzakowski said. Enough property is available to host outdoor events for the community or perhaps even a park. 

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