Nearly three years ago, the Beverly Fire Department set out to build a new truck to replace an aging Ladder Truck that had become increasingly expensive to maintain. At the time a group of five fire department members began to look at all kinds of trucks from different manufacturers as well as a plethora of options for finish items that would need to be installed on the truck after it was built. That process is nearing an end today as Truck 1, a 105’ Pierce Aerial Quint, was delivered to the Headquarters station shortly after 1400.
Throughout the design and purchase process, setbacks seemed to be the norm. The five committee members knew their task would be difficult because of the size of the opening at the station where it would park. With the evolution of the Aerial came a seemingly endless increase in vehicle size. The average aerial height jumped to roughly 12 feet. With a door opening of only 11’8”, finding a truck to fit the height restrictions was priority one.
The reduce door height led the committee to explore different kinds of aerials that provided for lower overall heights, but the designs meant longer overall lengths. In the end, the design of a rear mounted aerial proved to be the most efficient design for Beverly and when the first round of bids came back, a truck designed by builder American LaFrance was determined to be the best option for Beverly as it met both the height requirement and other needs determined by the Truck Committee.
Shortly after the LaFrance truck was selected, the American LaFrance Corporation suffered a severe financial crisis forcing the order to be cancelled and the committee to go back to work finding another truck. The setback seemed to be a disaster at the time but turned out to be a great opportunity for Beverly. The result was the design and build of a truck with all of the requirements of the committee by a company known to build some of the best fire trucks in the world. The delay allowed engineers from the Pierce Manufacturing Corporation to design a truck that would meet all of Beverly’s needs.
By the time the final bid was opened, one committee member had left the Department for a job in Cambridge and the first truck would have already been delivered and in service. At a cost of $870,000, this new truck has the capabilities of both a pump and a ladder and an expected service life that will carry the Department for at least 15 years.
When it comes to technology, a Ladder truck isn’t usually the first thing that pops into your mind. But this truck is loaded with technology that will help keep firefighters safe and the environment clean. One major aspect of the truck that is changing is the motor. New Environmental protection Agency regulations required motors to meet very strict emissions standards. The new standards will provide for a cleaner burning motor but at a significant cost over the old motors. There are also safety systems built into both the aerial, and pumping systems as well as chassis safeties like air bags that are designed for passenger safety.
Over the next three weeks, firefighters will receive training on the pump, chassis and aerial as well as practical driver training. Once the Department training requirements are satisfied, the truck will be in service at Headquarters.
Once the new truck is in service at Headquarters, the small ladder/pump (quint) that was in service at the North Beverly Station will be placed in reserve and an Engine will run in its place. The original truck committee was comprised by Deputy Chief William Petrosino, Captain Peter O’Connor, Lieutenant Donald O’Connor, Firefighter Todd Koen and Department Mechanic Jack Morris. By the time delivery was made, Firefighter Koen had transferred to Cambridge Fire and Peter O’Connor was promoted to Deputy Chief.
