Aerial Ladder Fire Truck is a real need for Douglas: DFD Chief Novoa

By Francisco Barrios

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 4:00 PM MDT


At October’s City Council meeting Douglas Fire Chief Mario Novoa spoke about the need, in which he explained why the Fire Department needs it and where and when it is going to be used.


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After his presentation, the City Council authorized City Manager Curtis Shook to search for an aerial ladder fire truck and the financing options to purchase.

At the regular meeting in January, Shook said the Council would need to decide if the item would be presented for formal request for proposal in order to obtain a formal financing package. He also said, in order to test the market, a financial package had been presented to approximately 30 financial institutions in an effort to gather estimates. Replies reflected a low two to three percent interest rate and the cost for the aerial truck would range between $1-1.2 million which would be financed over a seven to eight year period.

Council Member Rudy Quiñonez seemed in favor of the need of the proposed fire truck for the safety of the firefighters and the protection of city buildings, but added it was not the right time for the purchase due to the upcoming change of mayor and council and also due to a possible change in city manager. He went on to say the new officials would be in a better position to make decisions and once the economy improves, the fire truck could be purchased. He added that the City of Douglas was continuing to expend revenue it did not have; it could not afford to be in debt, and available funding should be spent for vital projects for the community such as street improvements.

Council Member Margaret Morales inquired if the expenditure would be in the 2012/2013 budget. Shook said that it would be in the following year. She then requested the timeframe for the financing bid process and the timeframe for the purchasing of the aerial fire truck.

Shook estimated it would be in April or May for a final package and for delivery it would be in the last quarter of the current fiscal year.

Mayor Dr. Mike Gomez stated the council should not make decisions that would bind the future council and further expressed concern regarding the prior use of $600,000 from a $1.6 million in reserves in order to balance the current budget. He further stated the cost of the fire truck would be $1 million and expressed concern regarding the economy and suggested building the reserves. Gomez suggested allowing the new Council to make the decision.

Luis Pedroza, Acting Finance Director, explained the informal process followed in acquiring quotes from financing and leasing firms. He said the range would be from $152,000 - $185,000 annually for the eight-year financing option, which would have a first payment due in September 2012.

The item was approved by a 4-3 vote, opposed by Mayor Gomez and Council Members Morales and Quiñonez.

Now, Chief Novoa feels there is a need to inform the public about the purchase of the aerial ladder fire truck.

Novoa said he has been requesting this type of apparatus for the last eight years as part of the Fire Department’s annual budget, but due to lack of funds, these requests have been denied every year.

“Additionally in an effort to acquire this type of apparatus, we have applied for and have been denied, no less than three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG),” Novoa said. “The Department has, however, been able to acquire other equipment through the FEMA AFG Grant programs that include personal protective equipment, hazardous materials response equipment, training equipment, training for state certification, and some other operational emergency incident equipment.”

The Douglas Fire Department currently has three fire pumper engines, which includes a 1982 Van Pelt, a 1992 KME and a 2001 E-One. According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) the 1982 truck does not qualify as a safe fire truck due to its outdated open cabin design. Besides, the City of Douglas saw the need to buy the 2001 E-One model after the two trucks broke down that year and the DFD had no choice but to borrow a fire truck from the Sierra Vista’s Fire Department in order to protect Douglas while the other two trucks were being repaired.

Novoa pointed out that the City of Douglas has made many improvements throughout the years and yet, no new fire suppression equipment has been purchased to assist in the proper mitigation of major fires in these newly developed areas around Douglas. These improvements include Big Box Stores on West 5th Street, Wal-Mart (has on average 110 employees within a 24 hour period and serves approximately 4,000 customers per day, 250 at any time), La Perilla apartments (99) units, the Gadsden Hotel (130 rooms has 15 rooms occupied at all times and families who reside there also), the Call Center (600 employees), the new Government Center (300 employees/customers at any given time), The New Best Western (68 room and is frequently full), and both prison complexes.

According to Novoa Douglas has several buildings that would benefit from this purchase. He said, that in a case of a fire is not only vertical reach, which is possible with the current equipment the Fire Department has but also the horizontal reach will be needed in case of a fire at other areas different from multi-store buildings like the Gadsden, the new Government Center, the Call Center, Wal-Mart, Takata Factory; every school or health care clinic in the city. He explained that nowadays a fire situation should be addressed in both ways, defensibly and offensively, meaning by defensibly fighting the fire from the outside and offensively is actually going inside the fire.

“An aerial apparatus is not just going to be used for a Gadsden Hotel fire. It will also be used to protect the employees, residents, and shoppers at many other facilities,” he said. “The G Avenue buildings which do not have sprinkler systems due to being “grandfathered in”, are not in compliance with present fire codes. The original Church buildings, all other city apartment buildings, health care facilities which include skilled nursing care facilities; La Solana and Cyprus Inn; all our public, private and charter schools, multiple story commercial and large private family dwellings, as well as manufacturing, and retail stores are more safely served by aerial apparatus.”

Novoa said the Fire Department will not be able to adequately and offensively fight fires with the current equipment in the near future as Douglas continues to grow with multi-story buildings and the Downtown Revitalization Project.

As an example, the chief mentioned the loss of the three houses on 7th St back in June 2006. If the Fire Department would it had an aerial ladder truck at that time they would have easily been able to limit the spread of the fire, he said.

The risk for a firefighter getting injured in any fire situation has increased over the years because the buildings have actually got lot older and they do not comply with current fire regulations and codes.

Novoa expressed that new buildings in town are built under the new codes and regulations, however, it is important to realize that buildings next to the new ones do not.

“Fires in the downtown area are not a slim proposition; there have been three in the last three years,” the Chief said. “We are sworn to protect lives, buildings, and properties in the City of Douglas. We have to have a vision for the future not only right now; why not treasure what we have now? Why not treasure what we have as economic thrives in this town? For me, this is not a job, it is a career, it is a passion. I can go down in history and let you know about the fires I have personally been involved in that we actually would have had a major difference if we had a ladder truck. One thing all fires have in common: We have lost them all, from Neway Laundry, G Avenue fire, 7th Street Fire, the 13th Street fire, those are the ones that I have been involved in; we lost them all.”

Shook spoke about the downtown fire in August, 2011. He said that what he witnessed was the fear that one whole block of stores could go up in a fire.

“We are talking about property damage, economic loss to the owners and the city because of the sales tax money they provide each year,” Shook said. “As I watched that night the only way to fight that fire was defensively and the only way to do it defensively was to be placed on roofs that are 80 or more years old.”

Shook pointed out that the aerial ladder truck is a critical and essential piece of equipment that the community really needs to look at based on need and from ability to pay.

“From my perspective as a City Manager, I have got to look at all the issues here, such as safety,” he said. “We are getting ready to do Downtown Revitalization; we spent $5 million on the Government Center and we need to be prepared to secure these types of investments in town.”

Pedroza stated there is a misconception that with the purchase of the aerial truck the City would incur in debt. He said that the proposal to buy the truck is to finance the $1 million, as it was presented in the January’s meeting. The terms that are being offered to finance an apparatus around the million dollars in the market is 7 to 8 years at a 2-2.5 percent, which is the most favorable term that he has ever seen at this point.

“Basically the misconception is that the $1 million is coming out or our reserve, which is not true,” Pedroza said. “The City would be paying approximately $150,000 -$163,000 a year to finance this apparatus. According to our debt schedule and debt capacity it is very manageable to do such payment on a yearly basis.”

Pedroza mentioned that in the two years prior, the City’s reserve had approximately $1.2 million, but in the previous year it had been increased to $1.5 million, and in the current year it was close to $1.9 million.

“From a financial perspective we feel comfortable in financing an apparatus like this and still feel financially secure going forward,” he said. “I do not perceive anything that could compromise our security that we have right now.”

The money to finance the aerial apparatus would be taken from the Special Projects Fund, which can only be used for capital improvements and capital debt payments and not from the General Fund, which is designated to public works and other expenses for the City.

An ordinance passed by Council in 1992 and made permanent two years ago said that there is a 5/10 of one cent of the sales tax that is dedicated to this fund.

About the Aerial Ladder Truck

 

The aerial ladder fire truck the Douglas Fire Department is considering would have a 100 foot reach ladder, which would address the need of fighting a fire from above by placing the two-man platform ladder on top of the fire and attack it directly with a two hoses compartment available at the platform and several sprinklers located underneath the platform to prevent the smoke going up to the firefighters and allow having a better view of the fire’s location.

A new aerial apparatus will be used not only for a reach in height, but also during fire suppression incidents to be able to reach the center of a large building from above, i.e. Wal-Mart, other commercial buildings, and can be used for countless rescue situations.

The new aerial apparatus would also suppress the fire with less water, as fire streams can be directed from above. An example of this would be the August 4, 2011 G Ave Fire. According to Chief Novoa over one million gallons of water were used to suppress this particular fire because “we were unable to have the proper water reach into certain areas in the affected building,” Novoa said. “We actually taxed our entire City of Douglas Water System, which has been a regular occurrence with many of our major fire incidents due to the low water aquifer levels right before monsoon season.”

Storage

Some people have asked Chief Novoa where the Fire Department will store this ladder truck.

“Our fire station on 10th street was renovated in 1998 and a bay large enough to accommodate a ladder truck was included in the plans,” he said. “Since we need a 100 foot long ladder in the truck we still have a few feet left on each side available at the bay. It is high and long enough to store the truck.”

 

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    For the good of the department and town wrote on Apr 14, 2012 12:34 PM:

    " Chief, you are doing and have always done a great job! I know it is frustrating when some people don't understand how firefighting works or the needs for this community. A new truck is needed. Your knowledge and care for what is needed in this town should be commended. I will always stand beside you. Your guidance has never let me down. I support you. "

    Was with you wrote on Apr 7, 2012 12:55 PM:

    " Was with you fedup until your last post. Heroes, sleepless 24 hours, tip top shape? Really????? "

    To MONEY wrote on Apr 7, 2012 12:35 PM:

    " Get your facts straight before going on with your stories. To imply that no Firefighter has been injured at a fire shows how out of touch you are with our fire department. Many have had minor injuries, some have had major injuries. There has been many injuries on fire scenes. One other thing that you don't seem to realize is that our Firefighters are also emergency medical responders. There is not two divisions; the same people do respond to calls of both types during shift. There are many shifts where they are up for the entire 24 hour shift without sleep. For people to complain about the work hours and down time- you don't even know what you are talking about. It is rare shift to get sleep at night and no there is not a designated nap time. During the day if there isn't calls there is building inspections, station duties, vehicle and equipment maintenance, training, cleaning and many other things that keep them busy. At night, they try to get as much rest as possible between calls. Don't think for a minute that the job is easy. Perhaps you need to hang out at the station for a day or two before you spread your falsehoods. No one knows whats behind someone else's closed doors. "

    To Money wrote on Apr 7, 2012 12:28 PM:

    " I too like to call it the way I see it....You're an IDIOT! We see how far back in time you're stuck on! Barney Fife...really! I suppose you would like the mortuaries to start handling ambulance services again! Let's bring the 5 cent soda back...don't forget to bring back the one horse for this town. "

    To Fed Up wrote on Apr 7, 2012 10:16 AM:

    " ........OUR FIRE HELMETS OFF TO YOU! GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. "

    Thank You Fed Up wrote on Apr 6, 2012 11:10 PM:

    " My cousin is a Douglas Firefither and we are so proud of him and all of his "brother and sister firefighters". These men and women work 24 hour shifts and sometimes work up to 3 days in a row. These people are away from their families during holidays, birthdays, family events, and when their children have school events. They also get called in on their days off and walk out the door leaving their families in order to cover mulitple or major incidents that occur in our City. Yes this is the job they chose to do! People are so quick to judge our City employees which include public works, police officers and the folks at city hall. When we are in need of City services...who do we call? Instead of jumping to your sorry conclusions and posting negativity on this forum...why not thank them for the being our public servants and protectors. You never know when that person you criticize may be the one answering your call! God bless all of our City employees, our Firefighters, our Police officers, our Deputies, and our Border Patrol agents. Thank you for a job well done! "

    Money wrote on Apr 6, 2012 12:04 PM:

    " Promise this will be my last one, but gotta respond to you Fed up. These are the facts. Add up the hours on putting out fires and on volleyball and basketball and sports wins. When is the last time we had a major fire? Luckily they aren't very often. I wish no ill on these people or anyone else but it is what it is. As for heroes, I guess my definition and yours are different. My standards are a little higher than yours. Like I said in a previous post, the job title itself does not warrant anything other than a paycheck. The actions do. As for them staying up 24 hours straight, you need to get your facts straight. That is kind of ridiculous even thinking that. You need to look into the way their shifts work.The fact that these workers do have a lot of free time on their hands is what it is. Better that then this town going up in flames all the time. I am also not implying that when a fire does occur they should go in with shovels and dirt. The fact is this fire chief should lay out all the data (avg, # fires, # of fire related injuries, # of times this type of truck would have actually been used, # of high equipment rotting away unused). All I'm pointing out is that if there is a better less expensive more realistic way to go thats how it should go. Bitter, na don't think so but I like to say it how it is. By the way all fields of work have there heroes but usually they are identified by that title only after doing a heroic deed. Your broad use of that word can be taken as a slap in the face to those people who have really done something heroic other than just put on a uniform. Barney Fife risked his life everyday and in your eyes was also a hero because he wore a badge. And he only needed one bullet! "

    FEDUP wrote on Apr 5, 2012 12:38 PM:

    " Some great and not so great input here. Yet, I remain fascinated by the rant and unreliable discourse of one particular individual. Mr. Money, what happened to you in your past? Why are you so bitter? Why do you have it out for our home town heroes? Somewhere somehow you got hurt. Its not simply fact that you are posting... Firefighters need to workout to stay in top shape to fight fires and perform rescues. I imagine just moving a patient around from time to time would be a physical impairment for many of us. I want to know the men and women of Douglas Fire Departments are working hard to stay fit. I challenge our community to advance the necessary funds and support the health of our fire service personnel. I personally pledge and undisclosed amount of money to make sure they have the necessary equipment to continue playing volleyball, football, baseball, swim or whatever else they can do to stay healthy. Our city depends on it.
    It seems that Mr. Money has done such a wonderful job stirring up unbelievable babble his issues must be addressed first. This is good... He deserves to be heard. However, we as readers must do our best to respond to such rant with caution. We must also be responsible for responding with truth and fact not mere opinion and feeling. Mr. Money, I challenge you to post truth. By all means post opinion. But, when you post such comments as in all the time you have been here not once have you known a firefighter to be injured on a fire. Or your other nonsense post of firefighters smelling of smoke from La Fogata. Admittedly amusing. But, nonetheless worthless non facts.
    I challenge anyone reading this to take the time to talk to these fine men and women from our local fire departments. They have always been very approachable. Until now I have taken for granted their safety. These people are fighting for their safety when we should be asking them the question: What can we do to help? Sure our city's pocket book will hurt. I'm not making light of that fact. However, more painful would be to look the other way and pretend this isn't an issue.
    Finally, I'm human and cannot go without food for more than a couple of hours. Its amazing that anyone would think our local heroes are any different. I recently discovered these folks sometimes work 24 hours at a time. The last time I was up 24 hours straight I was dealing with a fussy baby. I do hope the departments afford time for sleep in those 24 hours. With that stated... I for one enjoy seeing fire personnel frequenting local establishments. They are spending their money on growing our local economy. Hooray for the guys in uniform at the coffee shops, Denny's, La Fogata, Walmart, Chatitas etc...
    Good luck Douglas Fire District on your endeavor to outfit your people with a ladder aerial truck. God bless you and all the other responders that keep us safe while we work, live and sleep. "

    Retired wrote on Apr 4, 2012 8:48 AM:

    " I sit here reading all these comments, some good and most not so good. It is easy for one to expres there opinions about something they know nothing about.
    Yes, It's allot of money, but if your familys life or property depended on that truck to save it or them, you would be changing your mind about it so fast.I think back on all the major fires I was involved in that the out come could have been so much different if we had a Ladder Truck.When it comes down to buying used or new, you can't beat new with a factory warranty. The used Ladders for the most part come from larger cities that use them on a regular basis. They become very expensive to maintain and is more cost effective to replace than to fix. So now they trade it in and the company now puts in a few dollars to bring it back into compliance so they can unload it.If used were they way to go, everyone would be buying used.Douglas Fire Department has a history of keeping there equipment forever. They have one fire truck that is 30 years old.So with that history,buying an old truck is not a smart way to go.I hope that the community and our City Fathers will see the need to support the Fire Departments needs and not be pressured by people that don't know a thing about protecting Life and Property.Good luck guy's. "

    Former Bulldog wrote on Apr 3, 2012 1:44 PM:

    " Great Job Chief Novoa! No one can doubt the need for the aerial ladder, Fed Up stated it all so eloquently. I am very proud of coming from Douglas, and I appreciate the efforts by Douglas Fire Department, and all other Public servants in that community. Don't take the negative comments to heart, these are just bitter comments from jealous haters that unfortunately live in every small town. Keep up the great work! "

    to Money and Austerberto wrote on Apr 3, 2012 12:00 PM:

    " People said: “Oh don’t worry about that kind of thing… there has never been one of those in a hundred years”… then all of a sudden something happens where we needed something we said we didn’t.
    I don’t know about you all, but I don’t want to be the one looking foolish when people get hurt or die when they didn’t have to, because of a decision I made thinking about my pocket. Get them the truck……. "

    Veritas wrote on Apr 3, 2012 11:43 AM:

    " I firmly believe that our Firefighters be provided with the equipment they need to do their jobs and keep our town safe.

    Fire prevention can only go so far. Ultimately fire will breakout and do it's thing. Be it accidental, malfunction,nature caused or most common Arson /insurance fraud.

    These are the times when the equipment comes into use. Have it great! Don't have it assimilate.

    Ladder trucks are not just for high buildings, they are also raised to "rain down" upon the fire of lesser structures.

    Currently its about the friction between the city checkbook and a need that may not be critical at this time.

    a 5 million dollar price tag floating around for a new ladder truck could go to better use in our current economy. Street repairs,remove abandon buildings(fire hazards)lot clean up etc. What ever would give the our community the most needed.

    I think the truck purchase new/used needs to be tabled until the economy rebounds to the good.

    However, if the Council decides to purchase a ladder truck I have no problem with that, it makes our community a safer place. "

    Money wrote on Apr 2, 2012 9:36 PM:

    " Fed up, So am I. You say "give them the help they need before it's too late". The fact is this. Douglas is over a hundred years old and in my lifetime which is more than half that, I can't recall a fire injuring a firefighter and I'll bet that type of truck would have been useful only a handful of times. Just because the title of a job may imply danger, the size and action in the city itself is really what determines the danger. Firefighters in smaller communities have much less than our fire department and their lives are no less important. Who are you to call out people you do not know and question the validity of their stories. Bottom line is that you are fed up because others opinions do not match yours. We are all entitled to state our opinions and if they step on some toes so be it. I wish no one any harm and if the fires in this town warranted such a truck I'd have no problem with it, but when the firefighters are involved in more volleyball and basketball games than fires,and when the smoke you smell on your local firefighter is from standing in line at the Fogata, cities strapped on cash should watch their budgets. "

    Juan Osuna wrote on Apr 2, 2012 7:50 PM:

    " In response to "FEDUP" no one is questioning that Douglas needs an aerial fire truck. They certainly do need one. The question is the cost of a brand new custom truck really the most effective way to go. Most used fire trucks come on the market when fire departments trade up for bigger or more modern equipment. Most of these used trucks are referbished by the manufacture before being sold as used. It is not like buting a used car. Many fire departments around the country rely on used and referbished equipment. They are very reliable and cost efficient. The suggestion of used equipment is just an option for the fire department and the city council to consider. "

    B.B. wrote on Apr 2, 2012 6:16 PM:

    " yea, just like that $200,000 trailer sitting outside the fire house because of no storage and wheels rotting and a new 1-ton truck that barely pull it. yea, we need a new 5-million fire house now. "

    Agree wrote on Apr 2, 2012 5:10 PM:

    " I would to thank FEDUP for a great responce to the other comments. You are so right about everything. Used is used for a reason. These guys deserve the best equipment money can buy.Thanks DFD for all you do for Douglas. "

    FEDUP wrote on Apr 2, 2012 8:42 AM:

    " I have silently watched for years. Witnessed the unreal and relentless comments by people that like to think they know what's going on but haven't a clue. It seems that everyone that places a comment about spending less for a "used ladder truck" has some amazing fire experience from a place far far way from a time long long ago. The reality is, I may not be a firefighter but I'm tired of witnessing the defaming and irrational comments from armchair quarterbacks. Fire is fire. Big city little city or no city. Fire burns and is happy to burn without prejudice. We should be happy to assist our local paid and volunteer firefighters with whatever they need to do their jobs well. To do their jobs with the best updated equipment so they can return to their families after work and enjoy making comments like so many of you that have the luxury of getting out alive to make comments. Have any of you taken the time to talk to any of these firefighters? Mr. Money, I have been at restaurants and grocery stores and took the time to ask them questions about their jobs. Have you? I have seen them racing to legitimate scenes where people were hurt. I have never seen them speeding to a place so they can get a rushed meal. What kind of person makes such a rude and unjustified comment?
    Do any of you making comments about a used firetruck understand what the city is getting into by buying a used vehicle? For one, why is anyone selling a used vehicle to begin with? Two, used implies wear and tear, get ready to spend lots more on repairs and unknown issues. Three, good luck finding anyone to work on it locally. Chances are, it will end up as a used huge paperweight without warranty. The men and women that protect our city deserve the best we can give them. Even with the best equipment they are risking their lives every day they go to work.
    Lets not wait until someone gets hurt. Give them the help they need before its too late. Will any of you brave people making comments be there to grieve the loss of a firefighters loved one if they were severely injured or killed from a fire?
    Instead of insulting them maybe we should try thanking them for all they do. Thanks local fire folks! May God Bless and protect you. "

    Douglas Citizen wrote on Apr 1, 2012 6:22 PM:

    " The City of Douglas does not need to purchase a new 1 million dollar ladder truck with all the bells and whistles.
    A used ladder truck is the way to go!! CITY COUNCIL SAVE the city 1/2 million dollars by buying a used ladder truck. "

    Money wrote on Apr 1, 2012 1:55 PM:

    " Get them the truck. Now they will have a place a ref could sit in and view and call their volley ball games! With the amount of fires in this town that require more than a garden hose surely there must be something else they can get more cost effective and practical. It is a dangerous job in big cities that actually have fires. For the most part the biggest danger they face in this town is getting in a wreck while they race to the nearest restaurant. "

    Austerberto Cienfuegos wrote on Mar 30, 2012 4:44 PM:

    " Douglas needs to buy a USED ladder truck,for sure, its ridiculous to spend over a million dollars in these tough economic times , for something that will rarely be used, except for the firefighters to ride around town in, and show off at the schools, and other events!The infrastructure of this city is falling apart, the streets are Third World quality, etc. etc. That being said, Firefighting is a risky job, one chooses their profession , and assumes the risks involved. as superchicken would say " You knew it was a dangerous job when you signed up for it" on another note, there are grants available to help with these expenses, someone down at City Hall, needs to look into these grants and other creative ways to pay for a USED truck. It seems since our pedantic City manager is leaving, nothing will be resolved in an efficient and responsible manner at this time. Lets wait for the new administration to take over, and I assure you the city can take care of this need for less than 750,000. Much Less! I am a retired fireman from Hohokus, NewJersey, and have never had the luxury of a big ladder truck, and we had alot more tall buildings there than here in Douglas.This of course is my opinion, and my 2 cents worth.
    AB Cienfuegos, Capt. Ret. NAFF. "

    J.M. Martinez wrote on Mar 30, 2012 11:52 AM:

    " I must agree with Mr. Osuna, I am a former fire chief from a small department. Used fire engines and trucks can be a great savings. Some of our equipment was new and some was used. Since the truck would not be used every day, a used one would be a great option. The money saved on a used truck could be spent on other needed things. Being financialy responsible is the job of both the fire department and the city council. "

    the reality is... wrote on Mar 30, 2012 9:05 AM:

    " The reality is that I am thankful to have Council members who have the vision and political courage to vote for this needed fire truck. Ask any retired firefighter and they will tell you this has been needed for twenty years. And the timing is perfect with low interest rate and financing.

    The truth is that Richard Lopez was against this purchase and stated that at the meeting. He has no vision and absolutely no concern for the safety of our hard working fire fighters. He has no thoughts of his own and must be told what to think and say.

    I am proud of those Council members who have the guts to do what is right for this community. "

    Juan Osuna wrote on Mar 29, 2012 2:29 PM:

    " As a retired firefighter from LA, a ladder truck is an essential tool for fighting fires. They are very expensive. The city should consider buying a used truck. Many small cities have saved a lot of money by buying used but servicable fire trucks and engines. "

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