According to a report from The Piscataquis Observer, a special town meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, to vote on a $1.4 million U.S. Department of Agriculture loan meant to immediately replace the Dover-Foxcroft (ME) Fire Department’s (DFFD’s) 1993 ladder truck; begin the process to replace its 1999 pumper truck with a new, custom model; and purchase replacement air packs.

The ladder truck, which the department has had since 2015, blew its motor in early December. Because of the vehicle’s age, a replacement has been difficult to find, and even more difficult to find one with an extended warranty. Brand new ladder trucks cost more than $1 million.

The 1993 ladder truck had been the only such vehicle in the region, needed to reach the top of the tallest buildings in town such as The Mill apartments, Foxcroft Academy dorm, Northern Light Mayo Regional Hospital roof, county courthouse, and Piscataquis County Ice Arena.

DFFD Chief Joe Guyotte said the ladder truck has experienced problems over the previous five years, with money needed for parts and repair labor. He said a replacement motor is not available with any guarantees, and new motors will not work on the 28-year-old model.

Guyotte, Assistant Chief Jerry Rollins, and Firefighter Timothy Perkins traveled to northeastern Alabama to inspect the ladder truck in person. He said that the one they saw is expected to last the town for more than 35 years.

Negotiations on the truck settled at a price of $590,000 on the 2012 ladder truck, with the DFFD’s current truck included in the transaction at a price of $40,000, to be transported south.

The truck is now on hold, pending the outcome of Feb. 3. Should the warrant article pass, a 10 percent deposit will be paid to Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus and an agreement signed.

According to DFFD Lieutenant Brian Gaudet, it will cost $128,000 to replace their air packs. He said the DFFD has applied several times for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding, but the applications have not as of yet been accepted. He also said that the packs are now 29 years old and not as safety compliant as current models.

The DFFD purchased the 1999 pumper new before the turn of the century.

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According to a report from KXII, Denison (TX) Fire Rescue (DFR) placed into active service its new Ladder 63 for the first time on Wednesday, and the DFR expects it to play a crucial role in emergency response within the town.

DFR Chief Gregg Loyd said the truck is fully remote controlled, meaning they can control it from the ground or platform.

DFR announced that it had received the Ladder 63 last month.

The previous DFR ladder truck’s ladder was 75 feet long and staffed on demand. This new E-1 ladder truck is equipped with a 100-foot ladder and will be staffed 24/7.

Most of the buildings in the downtown area are two stories high; if a fire breaks out and there’s no ladder truck, they’d be difficult to save.

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Georgetown fire engine hit at crash scene on I-35

Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment

GEORGETOWN, Texas – KXXV reports that a Georgetown fire engine was struck while on the scene of a crash on I-35 Tuesday evening.

In a Facebook post the Georgetown Fire Department stated that firefighters responded to a crash on I-35 at 9:47 p.m.

Engine 2 was positioned to block the scene while crews worked. Shortly after, Engine 2 was struck by a pickup truck.

No first responders or patients were injured.

The post Texas Fire Engine Struck While Blocking for Interstate Crash appeared first on Fire Apparatus.

New ladder truck will carry all of the department’s extrication tools

Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Staff

GREENVILLE, North Carolina – WNCT reports that the Greenville fire department unveiled a new fire truck that is expected to go into service in approximately six months.

Greenville Fire/Rescue officials are spending several days training firefighters on operating the new tractor-drawn aerial.

Fire Chief Eric Griffin said the truck can carry all of the department’s extrication tools. That will keep crews from switching to different trucks, depending on the type of call.