Longboat Key Fire Rescue gets new apparatus

Longboat Key Fire Rescue has a new fire apparatus that hit the streets earlier this week.

The ladder truck has a 75-foot ladder, 500-gallon water tank and carries all emergency-medical services equipment with the exception of a stretcher.

The apparatus replaces a yellow ladder truck that was stationed at the South Fire Station and was costing the town several thousand dollars annually in maintenance, according to a memo from Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi.

The department requires two ladder trucks in service daily to maintain its ISO rating of 5. The apparatus is the same type of vehicle as the other ladder truck, which allows personnel to switch between trucks without going through additional training.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].