Bridgeport, CT— Mayor Joe Ganim joined Bridgeport Fire Chief Richard Thode today to unveil Ladder 10, a new fire truck stationed in Bridgeport’s East Side Fire Department. Ladder 10 was custom built for Bridgeport by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, WI and replaces a 1994 unit.
What makes this truck unique is its design. It is a 107 foot ascendant aerial. Pierce Manufacturing used state-of-the-art military designs to greatly reduce the weight of the ladder. This allows the truck to only have a single axle instead of the traditional two. Additionally, the truck has only two stabilizer jacks instead of four. This feature makes it easier to setup between parked cars on tight streets.
Fire Chief Richard Thode said, “This is a prime example of Mayor Ganim’s continued support of Public Safety and the Fire Department. The single rear axle is a game changer for us. This truck can fit in very tight spots that we encounter on the City’s congested East Side”. Besides being smaller with a greater reach, the operation is quicker. “90 seconds from the time the truck comes to a stop to the time the aerial can be at full height,” said Thode.
The typical lifespan for a truck similar to this is one is 25 years as front line service, with an additional five years as a reserve.