Acushnet to Purchase First-Ever Ladder Truck for Fire Department

ACUSHNET - The Acushnet Fire Department is adding a new member to it's family: a ladder truck. The Town's Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of the $40,000 truck, which has been in service in the Town of Lexington since the year 2000. Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher tells WBSM News the addition of the ladder truck removes the town's firefighters from potential harm.

"The most dangerous place to be on a structure that's buring is on a roof. And the only way that we've had to put people up there is by using extension ladders," says Chief Gallagher. "Now with this purchase we will join the rest of the fire departments across the state and the country by having an aerial device."

The truck features a 100-foot ladder with an adjustable nozzle at the end which can be controlled from the base of the ladder.

Chief Gallagher says E-One Cyclone is the first-ever ladder truck for the town, which had relied on Fairhaven's ladder truck when needed.

"Thankfully, they have come every time we've asked - about six times each year." Gallagher says Acushnet has called on Fairhaven for assistance with their ladder truck four times in 2018 for assistance with chimney fires during snowy periods. "Fairhaven has been very gracious in sending their ladder to us when we ask, and we look forward to being able to finally return the favor."

Gallagher says the 18-year-old truck was meticulously maintained by the Town of Lexington, and will be in service in Acushnet by the end of March when all town firefighters have completed training on the new vehicle.

"None of us on this department have any experience with aerial devices, so we're going to bring down the Fire Academy," says Gallagher. "The full-time staff is going to be going through some specialized training. Our insurance provider is sending down a driving simulator in March, and all the firefighters will be going through that simulator to hone their skills in driving a 40-foot ladder truck."