JONES CHAPEL, Ala. – The Jones Chapel Volunteer Fire Department will be getting a ladder truck this fall.
Fire Chief Clint Thrasher said the truck is a 1999 Spartan Smeal 75’ Aerial ladder truck with a 1,750 GPM (gallon per minute) pump and 400-gallon polypropylene tank.
“So basically it’s a typical fire engine with a ladder also,” Thrasher said. “We weren’t brand specific when shopping, but we were looking for the best value. We didn’t buy the ‘cheapest’ truck out there, but we bought what was the best value. It only has 39,000 miles and very low engine hours.”
The department purchased the truck from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, he said, but the truck is from Lehi, Utah.
“We didn’t get a grant for it; we financed the truck through Peoples Bank for five years,” he said. “The main purpose of the truck is to have elevated water. There are very few ladder trucks in the area. The last time we needed one, we had to get Vinemont to come out, and it took a while to get it all worked out. Of course, we could use it for rescues, ventilation and technical rescues. Elevated water is very useful during fires of large structures and firefighters are having a hard time getting the water to where it needs to be.”
Thrasher said the department is blessed to have such great support from the community.
“We are proud to have another tool in our toolbox to help not only our community, but also our neighboring communities,” Thrasher said.
The truck will be available to the department in late September.
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