Aerial Ladder Review

Peterborough Fire Rescue is currently evaluating aerial ladder trucks to replace the existing 1978 Seagraves aerial ladder truck, which is nearing the end of it's service life.

On June 17, 2003 Peterborough Fire/Rescue presented the first report to the Board of Selectman.  The conclusion was that Fire/Rescue should report back with an analysis of all available options to replace 24L1.  The study should include refurbishment, replacement with used and review new apparatus along with applicable support data.  The Selectman authorized the timeline presented in the presentation.  This PowerPoint presentation may be downloaded here. (broadband required 11MB)

As part of the process, Peterborough Fire/Rescue needed to investigate operational requirements of aerial apparatus.  E-One, Metz, Pierce, Ferrara, Smeal, HME and Sutphen demonstrated the operational benefits and laddering capabilities of their trucks. The demonstration pictured shows the Metz and E-One operating one the more extreme inclines in town, Vale Street. (Thumbnails open a larger version)

Metz

E-One

The trucks were evaluated on about a dozen criteria and used at MCH, South Meadow School, Guernsey Building, Pine Street and Vale Street.

Metz- Operating below grade

E-One- Preparing to set up at MCH.

Additional Photos below added 7/6/03

Ferrara Tower at MCH

Ferrara Tower at One Pine

Ferrara Tower on Vale Street

Ferrara Tower at Phoenix Mill Lane

On 7/22/03 the Ladder Committee gave a  second formal presentation to the Board of Selectman.  Download the PowerPoint presentation here.  It is 6MB in size and will require Broadband.

The Committee received permission to proceed with development of formal specifications and release of a Request for Proposal on or about 8/1/03.

Request for Proposal is posted here.  RFP is due back to the Town Clerk by 9/22/03 @ 2:00 PM.

On 9/8/03 Committee Members spoke with the Town Capital Improvement Committee and the Power Point Presentation is available here.

On 10/7/03 Committee Members recommended moving forward with a lease/purchase of a demonstrator Ladder Truck from Emergency-One.  The Selectmen have taken this under advisement with the Budget Committee.  The Financial Investigation results are here in Power Point.

On 10/16/03 The Budget Committee unanimously voted to recommend the purchase of the Ladder Truck.  The Committee also voted in favor of a cash purchase.  These recommendations will be sent to the Selectman for further review on 10/28/03

On 12/30/03 The Selectman and Budget Committee voted to use the cash option to purchase the truck. 

A frequently asked questions page has been posted here to assist the public with answering the most common questions surrounding this acquisition. 1/02/04

PFR wishes to thanks the members of the community who unanimously supported the replacement of our 25 year old ladder truck.  More specifically, Gordon Kemp, John Franklin and and the Budget Committee.  Also, Pam Brenner for her guidance with the process, the Selectman, the Capital Replacement Committee and community at large who supports our operations every day.  THANK YOU! 3/14/04

The Ladder Committee has also publicly posted all photos of the investigation process here.

To find out more contact Lt. Mike Roper  mike.roper@firerescue.us or any member of the Committee:

Deputy Chief, Fire Operations Brad Winters

Deputy Chief Ron Bowman

Lt. Keith Rodenheiser

Lt. Mike Roper*

FF Bob Berube

FF Dan Failla

FF Jim Grant

FF Jon Hampson*

FF Nate Ingersol

FF Moto Maguire

FF Don Parkhurst

FF Jon Sawyer

FF David Skerry

FF Ron Stickney

FF William Sweet

And Special assistance from:

Andrew Manns

John Franklin

Gordon Kemp

* Committee Co-Chairs

News Archive on the Ladder Committee Progress:

The July 24th Issue of The Peterborough Transcript posted an article by Dara Vernier reporting on the July 22nd Selectman's meeting.  Read it here.

The July 24th Issue of the Monadnock Ledger posted a report of the 7/22/03 Selectmen's meeting. Read the article in the Monadnock Ledger article here.

 The June 19th Edition of The Peterborough Transcript published an accurate accounting of the Ladder Committee meeting with the Peterborough Board of Selectman.  Read it here!