Delivery of NY fire truck expected in 3 weeks

“New” $450,000 truck, which had been used at Texas airport, will replace 1976 ladder truck; board votes to extend fire department contract

November 26, 2011 08:00 AM

By Laura E. Winchester
The Buffalo News (New York)

AKRON, N.Y. — The Akron Fire Company expects delivery of its “new” aerial platform truck the week of Dec. 12, the Village Board learned this week.

Fire Chief Dan Kowalik said the estimated $450,000 truck, which had been used at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, won’t be in service for at least a month to 45 days after delivery, to allow time for firefighters to receive extensive training on its use.

The truck, being delivered via rail, is 48 feet long — about the length of a tractor-trailer — is 12 feet high and weighs about 80,000 pounds. It will replace a circa 1976 ladder truck that the company purchased about seven years ago from an Amherst volunteer fire company.

The board also voted unanimously to extend for another month — to Dec. 31 — the six-month extension on the village’s contract with the fire company. Details of current negotiations were discussed in executive session following the regular meeting.

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