The Niles Fire Department has contracted to buy a new 100-foot aerial truck, addressing ongoing challenges with its current ladder truck. The new vehicle, a Pierce Enforcer 100-foot Ascendant Aerial Tower, will replace the department’s 1997 model.
Fire officials have cited increasing repair costs and difficulty in obtaining parts for the older truck as reasons for the replacement. Discussions regarding the need for a new ladder truck have been ongoing for several years. The city administration and the city council collaborated to secure the necessary funding for the acquisition.
The department views this purchase as an investment in public safety for the residents and businesses of Niles. The new apparatus will join the fire department’s existing fleet. It is equipped with a 510-horsepower engine and a pump designed to move 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The truck also features safety equipment for firefighters and accommodates up to six people.
