Department gets first ladder truck
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
FIRST LADDER TRUCK — Ashland Fire Chief Don Bouley is proud of the fire department’s newest acquisition, a ladder truck obtained through a government surplus program. This marks the first time the AFD has had a real ladder truck in its fleet. The vehicle will make fighting chimney fires and other blazes in high places much easier and safer for firefighters.
A NEW TANK for the Ashland Fire Department’s ATV, 
used for brush fires and hard-to-access locations, was recently obtained through a grant. Pictured with the new equipment is, from left: Town Manager Ralph Dwyer and Fire Chief Don Bouley.
ASHLAND — The town of Ashland has some good reasons to celebrate, with the recent addition of two ‘new’ trucks to the fire department, including the department’s first ladder truck.
“We obtained two new fire trucks through a government surplus program this spring. One is a ladder/pumper/tanker truck and the other is an engine/pumper. Both are in very good condition,” said Town Manager Ralph Dwyer.
Both vehicles were obtained at military bases in Florida, said the town manager, who was thrilled to be able to save the town so much money.
“We acquired them at no cost to the town, except for the cost to have a couple of people go down and pick them up. New, they’d have cost us around $1 million,” Dwyer said.
Don Bouley, fire chief, said the ladder truck is a welcome addition.
“It’s a 1994 Pierce Arrow, with a 50-foot ‘telesquirt’ ladder. It’ll be a big help with things like chimney fires. There are a lot of steel roofs out there. This will allow us better, safer access,” said Bouley.
Bouley said this will allow firefighters to dump water from above, instead of standing on the ground shooting water from a hose onto a structure. It’s capable of pumping 1,250 gallons a minute.
“The ladder truck would have cost us $600,000 brand new. We’ve invested about $20,000 so far in minor upgrades combined to bring them online — not nearly as expensive as buying new,” he said.
The other truck — a 1995 — if purchased new, would have run around $400,000. It too is capable of pumping about 1,250 gallons a minute,” said the chief.
With the new trucks Bouley was able to retire the department’s tanker, which was a 1977 Chevrolet that had been converted for firefighting purposes. That truck, which has 31,576 miles on it, is now up for sale.
“Now the oldest in our fleet is a 1993 pumper that handles 1,000 gallons a minute,” he said.
Bouley said he’d tried to obtain a $200,000 truck about a year ago but based on the number of calls his department handles, town officials couldn’t justify the expense, given current economic conditions.
“Judging by the number of calls we receive, they couldn’t see spending that kind of money now. We had gotten a tanker thru a grant program a couple years ago,” said Bouley.
Bouley said he’d put in through government surplus last year for more than a dozen trucks but hadn’t had any response until December.
“Dell Holmes (who handled applications at that time) called me shortly before Christmas and said ‘I have a Christmas present for you. Pack up, boys, you’re going on a trip. Your bid for a truck in Florida went through,’” said Bouley.
The tanker was obtained first, with four firefighters traveling in January to Jacksonville to pick it up. In March, three flew down to Pensacola to get the ladder truck.
“For a small fire department, I think we’re in pretty good shape right now,” said Bouley.
In addition to the new trucks, the fire department has also obtained, through a Title 4 grant, a 55-gallon tank to put on back of their side-by-side ATV. They’ve also obtained a new trailer to haul the ATV. The ATV, which was acquired about five years ago, is used for brush fires and hard-to-access areas.
The Ashland Police Department will also be getting a new cruiser, according to Dwyer, which was ordered through Griffeth Ford. It will replace a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. Both the Crown Vic and 1977 fire truck are up for bid. More information can be obtained by calling 455-2311 or bids can be sent to: Town of Ashland, 17 Bridgham St., Ashland, ME 04732. Bids will be received until 4:30 p.m. on July 6 and will be opened at the July 10 regular meeting.
