By Heather Graves
Editor
HOWARD – There’s a new kid on the block in Howard.
A new built-to-order Pierce ladder truck is joining the Howard Fire Department’s fleet, replacing its aging 2001 ladder truck.
Fire Chief Ed Janke said it’s a welcome addition.
Janke said the department took delivery of its new fire apparatus last week and is currently undergoing training in preparation to add it to the squad.
“Each firefighter will participate in at least an additional 16 hours of training,” he said.
Janke said the department received training on the truck by the manufacturer.
“The department was trained by Pierce Manufacturing,” he said. “The department has its own certification process to ensure all engineers and officers exceed both the manufacturer performance metrics as well as those of the National Fire Protection Association, with an additional eight hours of training and certification checkoff.”
The Village Board approved the purchase agreement between the village and Fire Apparatus & Equipment of Appleton for a new built-to-order Pierce ladder truck for $1,304,581 in January 2021, as part of the village’s 20-year improvement plan.
At the time, delivery of the truck was expected in January 2022, however, due to supply chain issues, the village received the truck a few months later.
The new vehicle will replace the 2001 Pierce ladder truck currently in service.
Truck details
Janke said the new ladder truck is in the new black-over-red paint scheme, which was voted on by department members from an aesthetics perspective.
He said the new truck is a mid-mount ladder, whereas the older ladder was a rear-mount, which affords the department even more capabilities.
Janke said the mid-mount position of the new aerial device will expand the department’s options for fire, ground and emergency operations.
“(The new ladder truck will allow us to) conduct below-grade and confined-space rescues,” he said. “It can manage at grade master streams and conduct rescues in a fraction of the time in tight spaces due to operating capabilities and stabilization process for the apparatus.”
At its most recent “train the trainer” session with Pierce, Janke said department instructors learned how to perform soft and hard setups, as well as how to lower the aerial and raise the stabilizers if there is a failure within the system and normal operations are not available.
Department instructors are now tasked with sharing this knowledge with driver/operators and line officers.
Janke said the vehicle will likely be put into service in the middle of July when all certifications are complete.
“In addition, the truck will be displayed at the Wisconsin Fire Chiefs Convention on June 23 in Green Bay,” he said.