City leaders in Cleveland, just before the start of the March 22 city council meeting, got a chance to look at a new pumper truck purchased for the fire department. The unveiling of the $960,000 truck, manufactured by Ferrera Fire Apparatus in Baton Rouge, La., was a proud moment for Fire Chief Sean Anderson, who just celebrated his first year as chief.

The truck is the first new pumper or ladder truck added to the fire department’s fleet since 1979, according to Anderson. All others came to the department as used pieces of equipment.

The truck is one of three major items purchased by the city through a five-year tax note. The other items are a jet vacuum and Gradall, items used by the city’s Public Works Department.

 

Brown County (Nashville)
After a blessing on it and the volunteers it will carry, Brown County Fire’s first aerial truck was pushed into its new home at the Nashville station March 12.The 1996 truck with a 75-foot ladder was delivered from Texas on Jan. 17. It will go in service after it gets radios and firefighters get more training.

Fruitdale
Brown County Fire’s Engine 11 is now Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Department’s Engine 35.The Jackson Township cumulative fire fund covered the $25,000 purchase. Brown County Fire kicked in several pieces of equipment.

 

Jackson Township
The first weekend in March, Glenn Elmore flew to New York and drove home in a shiny red rescue truck.The 1998 with 13,787 miles was bought for $30,000 with Jackson Township cumulative funds.

Devin Klesmith, who works with Pierce Manufacturing, said the documentary will feature ESFD's new ladder truck.

Fire Chief Randy Ates explained that ESFD recently ordered the ladder truck from Pierce Manufacturing with the help of a grant, saying the truck helps firefighters navigate the narrow streets of Eureka Springs.

"Because ladder trucks reach a certain length on the ladder, the body starts to get long as well. That won't work for us," Ates said. "The new truck will carry the weight because of numerous technological improvements."

The truck, Ates continued, has a 107-foot ladder on a 75-foot frame. He said the truck is innovative and would have cost the department $1 million without the grant. With the grant, Ates said the department spent only $37,500 for the truck.

Klesmith said her crew will be filming in Eureka Springs until the end of Thursday. So far, she said she's enjoying the town.

Jack Lynass, the president of Black Hills Community Bank said the story behind the truck is actually kind of interesting.

"After being in so many parades and we'd spend 3 weekends building floats and then we'd tear down the floats and start all over again we thought lets have something that we can be proud of we can use in the parades, use it for community events and we said how about a fire truck," Lynass said.

But not just any fire truck will do, the truck is a very rare 1952 Ward LaFrance, and while its paint job on the surface may be shiny and new, looking a little deeper you find that 50's nostalgia.