New fire trucks due in March

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Two new fire trucks for the Madison Fire Department are due to arrive in March.
Madison Fire Chief Ralph Cobb said the 1,500-gallon per-minute pumper trucks are being built by Saulsbury Fire Apparatus in New York. The cost is approximately $425,000 each, which, according to Cobb, includes a substantial quantity of equipment.
"The two trucks will be somewhat unique for North Alabama in that the pump is mounted on the rear, whereas, fire pumps are typically mid-ship," Cobb said. "The trucks will include a compressed air foam system that will allow for greater extinguishing power using less water, less hose and weight."
Cobb said Scottsboro is the only other city using this type of trucks in the area.
The two fire trucks were originally planned for delivery this month. Cobb said the delivery date was slid back to early March.
"Although we haven't definitely decided, the two new trucks will probably be assigned to Station 1 and 2. Our call volume is higher in the district for these stations," Cobb said. "The 1996 truck, presently at Station 2, will be assigned to the new Station 3 on County Line Road."
The 1975 truck assigned to the department will be retired. Cobb said it would probably be disposed of by bid.
"This will leave us with four 1,500 gallon-per-minute engines, ranging in age from 1992 to 2003 and a 1982 1,000 gallon-per-minute pumper – one at each station and two in reserve," Cobb said.
Cobb said fire trucks have a long life.
"As our call volume continues to increase, I anticipate that our trucks will have a primary service life of 10 years with an additional six to 10 years in a reserve status," Cobb said. "Ladder trucks typically remain in service until the ladder fails structural integrity tests – 20 to 25 years."