The Seven Lakes Fire and Rescue Department has added a 100-foot tower ladder to its fleet, giving firefighters a new way to reach taller structures and attack fires from above.
The truck, which the department has named the “Queen of the Nest,” began its career in 2001 with Union Township, Ohio, before making a roughly 500-mile trip to Seven Lakes.
The 47-foot-long truck can flow up to 2,000 gallons of water per minute through its standard hose loads or from the bucket at the end of its 100-foot ladder.
The addition will allow crews to reach higher roofs in the community more quickly and safely, according to the department.
Firefighters have begun training with the new apparatus, including practicing truck placement and ladder deployment. Because the tower ladder requires different positioning to maximize its reach, crews will continue repeated training to become proficient with the equipment.
Aerial views as seen from “the Queen.”
“This new truck requires different thought processing when it comes to placement to maximize ladder effects,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Crews will continue training on this new truck over and over again to gain professional proficiency.”
The department added that donations to its annual mailer fundraiser made the purchase possible.
“This purchase was made possible by YOU, thanks to YOUR support from our annual mailer fundraiser,” credits one Facebook post. “This is what your support has allowed us to do to extend our capabilities and better serve YOU.”
Moving forward, crews will complete specialized training, install equipment, and add graphics before “the Queen” is expected to enter service at the beginning of the year.
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Photos via Seven Lakes Fire / Rescue.
