By Bill Adams
A ladder truck is an apparatus compliant with National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, Chapter 19 Aerial Devices and either Chapter 8 Aerial Fire Apparatus or Chapter 9 Quint Fire Apparatus.
An aerial device is only compliant to Chapter 19. All are synonymous with aerial ladder. No attempt is made to further define them or the terminology used such as renaming, rebranding, badging, and labeling found in online research and used in participants’ comments.
Numbers 64 and 68 Cocalico Creek Road in Ephrata, PA, have been used by numerous fire apparatus manufacturers (OEMs). Neither address is the origin of LTI or its predecessors. Most of the OEMs are no longer in business. Fading memories, online research, published histories, articles, and books have conflicting dates and facts.
Inquiries were made of acquaintances from the former Saulsbury Fire Apparatus Corporation. Some were later employed by Ephrata aerial ladder manufacturers. All referenced Tony Mastrobattista, who for decades worked for many of them. Well known in the industry by the moniker Tony Mastro, he’s a district sales manager for Campbell Supply Company, a New Jersey fire apparatus dealer. His interview and commentary are interspersed herein.
1 Prior to introducing its own Fire Spire aerial device in 1978, Hahn used early Grove Industries aerials such as this 1970 100-foot aerial on Hahn’s own tractor-drawn chassis. (Photos courtesy of Tom Shand.)
2 LTI mounted an 85-foot rear-mount platform on this 1980 Hahn custom chassis.
Grove
Grove Manufacturing of Shady Grove, PA, began fabricating farm wagons in 1947. John L. Grove, one of its founders, invented a crane to move heavy materials around their shop. His invention transformed the wagon builder into a crane manufacturer called Grove Industries. In the ear
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Posted: Jan 9, 2023
Rosenbauer—Royal Oak (MI) Fire Department pumper. Avenger cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale DSD 1,500-gpm pump; 500-gallon polypropylene water tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2001 Class A foam system. Dealer: Bob Colter, Emergency Vehicles Plus, Holland, MI.
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Posted: Jan 9, 2023
The Semmes Fire Rescue Department held a special ceremony Thursday as it put its new fire engine into service, Fox10tv.com reported. The new truck was dedicated with a push-in ceremony, a long tradition of the fire service.
The community came together to help welcome Engine-1 to the fire department fleet, with everyone lending a hand to push the truck into the bay.
A fire official said this is the department’s first custom-built engine, the report said. The new truck cost nearly $600,000.
The department now has three frontline fire engines, one reserve, a couple of brush trucks and a hazmat trailer, according to the report.
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Posted: Jan 9, 2023
Two Erie fire companies will split $216,300 in state grant funding for new resources, ErieNewsNow.com reported.
The funding includes $146,300 to Brookside Fire Company for self-contained breathing apparatus units, including 19 packs and 18 cylinders and batters, the report said.
Perry Hi-Way Hose Company will receive $70,000 for training support, according to the report.
The funding was administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development.
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Posted: Jan 9, 2023
After voters passed a levy lid lift to fund 24/7 medically trained staff in August, Toutle Fire and Rescue is getting money from Cowlitz County to help equip volunteers and its new staff, tdn.com reported.
On January 3, the Cowlitz County commissioners approved an agreement for $216,000 with Cowlitz County Fire District 3 to fund the purchase of additional fire and emergency medical equipment, after allocating the money during a November 30 workshop, the report said.
The money will be used to upgrade outdated breathing apparatus, purchase a gurney lift and install sprinklers in the station’s sleeping quarters, said a fire official.
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