During the summer of 2013 the President and Board of Directors formed an apparatus committee to review and evaluate the condition of the current apparatus at Station 59. In the course of several months of meetings the committee came to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of the community and fire department to upgrade the current Tower 59, a 1995 Spartan LTI 100’ Tower which was acquired in 2004 from Talleyville Fire Company, Wilmington Delaware.
After a review and implementation of a 10-year strategic apparatus replacement plan of all of the fire company apparatus and ambulances. President Lee Weersing formed an apparatus committee with intent to build and research a new unit to replace Tower 59.
The committee was put to task to build the first New Custom Built Aerial Device that Concordville had ever purchased in its 85 plus year lifespan. In May of 2014 the committee had finished researching manufacturers and various configurations and presented their recommendation. It was proposed to the membership during the monthly business meeting and recommended to the fire company floor that it place on order a 2014 Seagrave Aerialscope 95’ Midship Tower Ladder.
The new Tower will have full seating for 6 firefighters, a full complement of safety systems from anti-lock braking to a state of the art roll protection system. It will be outfitted with 206 feet of ground ladders, a platform capable of 1000lb unrestricted capacity while flowing 1250 gallons per minute of water from a FDNY style Akron monitor. During July several members traveled to the local dealership representing Seagrave Fire Apparatus, 10-8 Emergency Vehicle Services for a 2-day pre-construction meeting and review. Tentative delivery is scheduled for late December of 2014. Keep a watch for progress photos as they become available.
To add to all of our excitement, we have received a letter of intent to purchase the current Tower 59 from the Columbus Township, Indiana Fire Department arranged through Fire Line Equipment. Tentatively Tower 59 will leave sometime in mid-September for its new home. The officers and membership of company 59 wish the Columbus Township the best of luck with their new apparatus.
Keep checking back for updates…