PHOTO: The Vestavia Hills Fire Department has acquired a new $1.2 million fire truck to serve the Liberty Park area out of Station No. 4, as well as new communications equipment.
The ladder truck is replacing an engine and is expected to be in service for 15 to 20 years. It’s needed due to the large number of existing and forthcoming multi-story buildings in the area, fire Capt. Scott Ferrell said. The truck is brand new and will be in service by the middle of May after personnel spend time training with it. The truck can carry a maximum of five fire service personnel and has a rear-mounted aerial ladder with red, white and blue lighting. It is a quint, meaning it has five operations: hose, water, pump, aerial ladder and a ground ladder.
The truck also should help the city’s rating from the Insurance Services Office, which affects homeowner’s insurance rates.