According to a report from The Tribune, Humble (TX) Fire Rescue (HFR) has added Ladder 1—a 2021 Pierce Velocity Aerial fire truck—to its fleet of apparatus. The aerial hit the road within hours of commissioning on June 24 by responding to a structure fire.

HFR Chief David Langenberg said that the truck features a 107-foot ladder and a 2,000-gallon-per-minute pump. The Pierce replaces a 20-year-old 100-foot ladder truck. He also said that the truck’s state-of-the-art technologies and advancements will help the city grow in efficiency.

Since the new Pierce was brought into service, Ladder 1 has responded to 15 motor vehicle accidents; five fires; 11 miscellaneous, non-EMS calls for service; and 20 emergency medical services responses as either the first responder (i.e., if a paramedic on the ladder truck can be on scene quicker than the nearest ambulance) or to assist an ambulance crew with staffing.

Langenberg added that the HFR now has an apparatus replacement schedule in place and formalized for future trucks. He also said the town will not wait more than 20 years to replace a truck the next time the HFR is in need of another.

This ladder truck was possible by the city’s Apparatus Committee, who volunteered to travel to Pierce’s factory in Appleton, Wisconsin, to ensure that members of Ladder 1 worked with Pierce sales representatives and engineers to fit the truck with the proper specifications.

A Santa Fe (NM) man is accused of stealing a Santa Fe Fire Department apparatus after asking firefighters for a ride to a gas station, reports santafenewmexican.com.

Julio Avila, 28, was charged with robbery, two counts of aggravated battery, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, and reckless driving after he took a Chevrolet Colorado truck belonging to the department Friday, officials say.

Earlier: Elba (AL) Fire Department Apparatus Stolen as Department Handles Call

Avila had reportedly pulled over while driving a friend’s vehicle on Interstate 25 to ask firefighters assisting another vehicle for a ride to a gas station.

Firefighter Daniel Coyne drove him to the Allsup’s on Avenida Del Sur, with fellow firefighter Ramon Vilorio in another vehicle. While at Allsup, Coyne exited the vehicle and Vilorio parked parallel to him, according to the report.

Avila jumped into the fire apparatus and attempted to drive away in reverse. Vilorio and Coyne tried to grab the doors to stop him, but Avila escaped and drove to the highway. Neither of the firefighters were seriously injured in the incident.

Avila was then stopped by Santa Fe County deputies on I-25 and was told to exit the vehicle with his hands up. He complied and was promptly arrested with a small amount of methamphetamine, along with another small bag of the drug in his backpack in his friend’s car. He told deputies he had consumed meth three hours prior to stealing the car. He was booked into the Santa Fe County jail.

According to a report from Hoover Sun, the Hoover, Alabama, City Council has approved the purchase of three new trucks for the Hoover Fire Department (HFD) at a cost to the city of $2.5 million.

Hoover City Administrator Allan Rice said two of the HFD’s ladder trucks need replacing. In addition, with an 11th HFD station opening on the horizon, the city also needs to replace at least one pumper truck per year to keep its fleet up to date.

Rice said that each ladder truck will cost approximately $1 million, while the pumper trucks will cost around $540,000.

The approval means the city will now place an order with Sutphen Fire Apparatus. According to the purchase agreement, the order should be filled in 12 to 14 months, which includes building and delivery.

Rice said the city must place the order by the end of August before an expected price increase takes effect. If the council waits, the price will increase by $162,500, according to records. By using a lease-to-purchase plan, the city can save $61,752, a total savings of $224,262.

The council will reconvene to discuss the best way to pay for the apparatus while it considers capital expenditures for the coming year.