(MITCHELL) – Marion Township placed Ladder 57 in service after receiving the truck in September 2018.
Marion Township got the truck from Fort Delovir, Virginia through a Department of Natural Resources Excess Property Grant.
The apparatus was placed in service on May 7, 2019.
The purpose of the 100 foot ladder truck was to reach certain places at Spring Mill State Park Inn in the event of a fire.
“There were certain setbacks to which our ground ladders could not reach,” says Marion Township VFD Chief Paul Gillespie. “So, we felt it was essential to get a Ladder Truck to reach those locations at Spring Mill. Also, with the construction at Lehigh and some of the silos exceeding over 200ft in height, this will be an asset should any emergencies occur during the two-year construction process.”
The ladder truck can be used in fire suppression but also for hazardous materials incidents, high angle rescue, and water rescues.
According to firefighters, Ladder 57 will be the second engine to respond on all commercial, church, schools, and occupied dwelling fires.
“This is a step in the right direction for our department; we are very excited to have this apparatus,” says Chief Gillespie. “Along with fires in Marion Township, this truck will respond to other areas when requested. The Ladder Truck will be the first for a Lawrence County Fire Department to have in service.”
The 100-foot aerial is also equipped with a 35-foot ladder, 24-foot ladder, two 16-foot ladders, two 10-foot ladders, and one 15 foot ladder. The apparatus passed its certification, meeting the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association.
Equipped with extrication equipment.
Equipped with extrication equipment.
Equipped with extrication equipment.
35 firefighters staff Marion Township Fire Department. The department has a fleet of seven apparatus to respond to a variety of emergencies, most serving a dual purpose. Those vehicles include Tanker 51, Tanker and Engine Rescue 52 – Rescue and Engine, Tanker 53 – Tanker and Foam, Squad 54 – Brush and EMS, Squad 55 – Brush and EMS, Squad 56 – Command and EMS, Ladder 57- Aerial, Heavy – Rescue, and Haz-Mat.