The Evanston Fire Department put its new 2011 Aerial Tiller Ladder Truck into service today.
The new aerial truck was custom built for the city by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisc. The new truck will replace the 1990 Pierce Tiller Ladder presently housed at Fire Station #2 at 702 Madison St.
The new aerial ladder truck cost $958,121. But $600,000 received from a federal homeland security grant program dramatically cut the cost to local taxpayers.
“I thank Senator Durbin for his commitment to Federal grant funding that puts essential resources into the hands of local governments,” Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl said. “Without his strong support, municipalities like Evanston would not be able to provide critical life saving equipment to our first responders.”
“The truck will meet our current and future life safety needs for many years to come,” said Evanston Fire Chief Greg Klaiber. “The new truck will operate out of Station 2 and will carry vital rescue equipment including ladders, extrication ventilation and forcible entry tools. The new truck will also be equipped with advanced life support paramedic equipment to serve the community.”
Klaiber said former Division Chief Ronn Gannon, Management Analyst Michael Whalen and Fleet Manager Lonnie Jeschke were instrumental in winning the federal grant.
They “applied for the grant, wrote the specifications and signed off on the inspection of the final product, Klaiber said. “Without their efforts I do not believe we would have been successful in being awarded this grant.
Truck 22
Congratulations to EFD on the new Truck. The City needs it and it is so very heartening to see that once again City staff from many departments can work together and with outside agencies to get us the services and equipment we need.
That the previous Truck was in service for 21 years indicates we have a Fleet Services team that is on the ball.