While the vehicle is not brand new, Baldwin Fire Department soon will have a ladder truck to replace one that failed more than a year ago.
Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy told the city council Monday that he found a 2005 Ferrara Inferno 100-foot platform ladder that formerly served in Mount Pleasant, S.C., outside Charleston.
The truck, which has current ladder and pump certifications, will come with some equipment, including ground ladders, some air packs and more.
“I guess for about a year or a year and a half I’ve been wanting to do something for a ladder truck, since our other truck went out of service and we had to get rid of it because of the damage that occurred when the ladder failed,” Roy told the council.
Roy initially had hoped to purchase a new truck, but the price when he began his search was $1.2 million. Over time, that price grew to $1.4 million, making it cost-prohibitive to purchase a new one.
“We can’t afford that,” Roy said. “Every day, I’ve been looking for a used ladder truck – a good one. About a week and a half ago, I found one for $125,000.”
The truck being purchased replaces a 1981 ladder truck Baldwin had purchased used that experienced failure and was removed from service.
Roy and two others have examined the truck, spending four hours with it, and checking out the mechanical aspects as well as the ladder functions.
“The truck is a diamond,” Roy said. “You’ll never come across this deal again – ever. The only reason I’m getting this deal is they really don’t care what they get out of it. They’ve got four other ladder trucks. They’re a big department.”
The truck has new tires, new batteries, and will include three to four air packs that sell for about $3,500 each.
Roy said he can’t guarantee something might not go wrong with the truck since it is a used vehicle, but he believes it’s a good investment for the city.
“Out of my 30 years of experience, and the other guys’ experience, this truck checked out beautifully,” Roy said. “What I’m asking tonight is to purchase this truck for $125,000 and add an extra $1,000 for us to be able to put Baldwin on it and do a service, change the oil, change the filters and know where we’re starting at as far as our maintenance program.”
Money for the purchase will come from the 1-cent Habersham County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
Roy said in addition to the ground ladders, air packs, some hose and some appliances coming with the truck, his department saved the equipment off Baldwin’s former ladder truck for reuse. That equipment will be added to the one from Mount Pleasant.
Roy said the truck being purchased will fit in the Baldwin station, which is designed to house four pumpers, a ladder truck and a rescue vehicle.
Councilman Jeff Parrish commended Roy for his work to find the right truck for Baldwin.
“I know all the citizens of Baldwin will appreciate your efforts,” Parrish told Roy.
Roy’s personnel will travel to Mount Pleasant to pick up the ladder truck and drive it back to Baldwin.
“I’m really excited about this,” said Councilwoman Alice Venter. “Thank you for finding this, because I know that I have been worried about not being able to service our citizens as fast as possible with a ladder truck. I can’t even imagine how you guys felt, being the ones that have to show up.”
Both Venter and Roy said purchasing the replacement truck will allow them to rest better.
“It’s answered prayers is what it is,” Venter said.
Roy said a used truck like the one being purchased easily could go for up to $500,000 to $600,000.
“It’s a blessing to find this truck,” Roy said.
Mount Pleasant Fire Department didn’t want to have to find a place to store the truck, which had been parked outside at the department’s training center, Roy said. That is another reason department leaders were willing to sell at the agreed price.
“I appreciate the fact that they’re just kind of paying that forward to us in many respects,” Venter said.
In addition to the ladder truck purchase, Baldwin soon may receive a new-to-Baldwin fire truck.
After learning that Baldwin is experiencing issues with one of its fire engines breaking down frequently, fire officials in a nearby county contacted Roy about possibly providing a surplus truck to the city. While that action had not been finalized by the Baldwin City Council meeting, Roy said he is hopeful it will happen.
That would allow the city to rotate its least reliable truck down to reserve status, to be used only when one of the other front-line trucks is out of service for maintenance.
