By Evan Belanger
The Decatur Daily
DECATUR, Ala. — Members of the Decatur Fire and Rescue Department showed off their newest emergency vehicle Friday, a Pierce-model ladder truck.
At a cost of $749,533, the emergency vehicle entered active service Oct. 11 after about a year of construction and outfitting time.
Fire Chief Charlie Johnson said the department spent about $30,000 extra outfitting the truck with hoses, nozzles and other equipment.
The truck, which is attached to Station No. 3 at 16th Ave. and North Street Southeast, replaces a malfunctioning ladder truck that Johnson removed from service last year citing safety concerns.
Fire officials boasted about the new truck’s multi-purpose capabilities Friday.
Its 100-foot ladder can reach as high as seven or eight stories, and its various pumps can spray up to 2,000 gallons per minute.
It has a 380 gallon water tank and is equipped with 30 gallons of foam for chemical fires.
The truck is also equipped with medical, rescue and vehicle extrication equipment. Fully loaded, it weighs about 80,000 pounds and generally carries a crew of three.
Johnson said the truck helps the department maintain its high fire-insurance ratings from the Insurance Services Office. Most insurance companies use that rating to determine local property insurance premiums. The Decatur department is currently rated at 3 out of 10, with 1 being the best rating.
Johnson estimated that rating saves business owners in the city 10 to 20 percent annually on their insurance premiums.
The previous City Council approved the purchase of the truck Oct. 20, 2008.
Copyright 2009 The Decatur Daily