New Aerial Ladder Truck Adds to Swissvale's Fire Fleet

Swissvale Fire Department rolled out its new Spartan ERV aerial ladder truck to the public at its Fire Prevention Week open house on Sunday.

Purchase of the $760,000 truck was made possible by a $722,000 federal grant and a required 5-percent contribution from the borough of $38,000.

The 103-foot aerial ladder truck—the fourth ladder truck in the fire department's history—is also a 1,500-gallon pumper truck.

"It's a much safer ladder," said fire Chief Clyde Wilhelm, pointing out there is a more stable platform and a 500-pound tipload instead of the 250-pound tipload of the four-decade-old Seagrave ladder truck it replaces.

The truck has a Class A foam system. When water is added to the foam mixture, it provides a better means of suppressing fire than water alone.

The new ladder truck can improve rescue capabilities for extricating fire victims from upper-story situations. The truck's ability to deliver water and flame suppressants from above will help limit damage.

_______________________

Forest Hills-Regent Square Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.