JONES CHAPEL, Ala. – The Jones Chapel Volunteer Fire Department received its new ladder truck on Oct. 17.
Chief Clint Thrasher said the ladder truck is a Spartan Smeal.
“The ladder is 75 feet and the truck is classified as a ‘quint,’ meaning not only does it have a truck mounted ladder, but it also has a fire pump, a water tank, supply and attack hose and carries an assortment of ground ladders ranging from 10-35 feet” he said. “Basically it’s a ‘regular’ fire engine with an aerial device mounted on top. During the last few weeks we have been having equipment installed. We had it re-striped and have been conducting training.”
Thrasher said it is a very large truck so the department is currently making sure that everyone is properly trained and acclimated to it before putting it in service.
“A lot of people think of skyscrapers and big cities and such are for ladder trucks but in actuality we will be able to utilize it for elevated water for fires in large buildings or when a roof has collapsed and making it hard to reach from the ground,” he said. “The ladder can be used to get on a rooftop of a house or business for ventilation and it can also be used in conjunction with our rope rescue equipment for a high point. This truck would have been very useful during our high angle rescue we responded to back in the summer.”
Thrasher said the department often has to plan for worst case scenarios with outside the box ideas.
“There are very few ladder trucks in the county so not only will it help the citizens of Jones Chapel, but it will allow us to assist our neighboring departments in Cullman and Winston counties,” he said.
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