Cape Girardeau Fire Department adds new aerial ladder to firefighting arsenal

A new 100-foot aerial ladder truck is the newest addition to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

The new truck will be at Station 1 on South Sprigg Street. The department's 1986 aerial platform truck will remain on standby at Fire Station 2 on South Mount Auburn Road.

"This truck will respond to all fires and almost all special instances," said Capt. Mark Starns.

The truck will be put into commission within a couple weeks, said chief Rick Ennis. Until then, firefighters from all four stations will train with it. Training began Thursday with B platoon. C platoon will train today and A platoon will train Saturday.

The truck was purchased with money from the Public Safety Trust Fund established when voters approved the one-cent fire sales tax in June 2004. By joining in on a large order placed by the Memphis Fire Department, Cape Girardeau saved more than $60,000 from the estimated cost. The city paid $557,557 for the truck.

Three more engine trucks have been ordered and are being built. Two should arrive at the end of the year. The third will arrive after construction of a new station on North Sprigg Street is completed.

Smaller, maneuverable

The truck weighs 58,700 pounds, roughly 10,000 pounds less than the 1986 truck. The hydraulic stabilizers extend outward by 15 feet, compared to 18 feet. The truck's length is shorter by six feet.

Hydraulic stabilizers prevent the truck from tipping when the ladder is extended. Now, one firefighter can set up the stabilizers in about one minute, compared to two minutes with the 1986 model.

"Now, we are progressing towards equipment that's more effective to operate with one person so that it frees up people to do other jobs," said Starns.

The new ladder has no cage platform at the end, allowing firefighters easier access to windows and more efficient rescues. The 1986 truck, with its cage platform, will likely be used in the event of a large fire in which firefighters will need both types of ladders.

In addition to more storage space, the truck carries nine portable ladders, a larger variety of forcible-entry equipment, more space-lighting equipment and mounted fans.

"A ladder truck, that's our tool shed," master firefighter Bill Crump said.

In addition to new equipment purchases, three new firefighters were hired in the fall of 2004. The extra manpower enables both ladder trucks to be manned at all times, Ennis said.

jmetelski@semissourian.com