By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

The Allenstown Fire Department has purchased a used ladder truck to replace its ailing Rescue 1 vehicle, and Chief Everett Chaput III is happy with the transaction.

A REAL STEAL – This “new” 1991 rescue and ladder truck, above, was purchased by the Allenstown Fire Department to replace the 1986 F-350 shown on Page A3. The older truck may be retrofitted with a plow later. (Joseph Edgerton Photo)

"We got the engine for $39,000," he said. "That's a steal when you consider that a brand new ladder truck runs nearly $480,000."

The ladder truck was purchased to replace Allenstown's current emergency vehicle, a 1986 Ford F-350 diesel one-ton truck.

Chaput said, "The ladder truck is a big improvement. Rescue 1 was a hazard for emergency response. It needed a body replacement. Its body is overloaded with equipment and it is beyond useful now."

The ladder truck, a 1991 model manufactured by E One, was purchased from Brindlee of Toledo, Ohio, a fire apparatus company, according to Chaput. The seller wanted $69,000 for the vehicle, but took $39,000.

"The truck offered us a perfect opportunity for replacement," said Chaput.

The money for the ladder truck was drawn from the Allenstown Fire Apparatus Capital Reserve Funds. Annually, Allenstown votes money into the fund, which is used to purchase firefighting equipment. Chaput said that for the last two years, the department had put in for a new vehicle and had been turned down.

"We had hoped for a federal grant," he said. "But unfortunately we were rejected." Chaput estimates that the overhaul necessary to restore the old Ford truck would have cost between $28,500 and $30,000. Once replaced, the one-ton vehicle will be downgraded to a utility truck.

"For now, we are downgrading Rescue 1 to a utility truck," he said. "In the long term, we might fit it with a plow."

The used ladder truck will serve as both a rescue vehicle and a fire truck. Chaput said that the ladder rig has a considerable amount of rescue equipment, in addition to an 80-foot extendable ladder.

"There's a multitude of extrication equipment," he said. "We have the Jaws of Life, a generator and airbags for lifting heavy objects."

Safety is a major factor for the department, but the economic factor is important as well.

"I think it's a great deal," said Chaput. "I think it will serve us for another 15 years, so you're looking at about $2,000 a year for fire apparatus."