LADDER UP: Welcome the 619

EAST MANATEE — The East Manatee Fire Rescue District recently reached new heights: Last week, the district put its new $1 million ladder truck with a 100-foot ladder into service. 

The new engine will allow firefighters to respond to emergencies at taller structures, while also giving them more reach to service buildings set farther back from the road or with garages in front, for example.

The tallest building in the district is currently the five-level Holiday Inn at Lakewood Ranch, but other tall buildings are planned for the area in the future.

“The potential is there,” Deputy Chief of Administration for East Manatee Fire Rescue Lee Whitehurst said. “There are a few buildings approved. We have to be prepared. Who says seven stories is the limit? This truck will be on the road for 20 years.”

Although the new ladder truck arrived in November, firefighters dedicated to the vehicle — 17 of the department’s 63 personnel — had to be trained to use it and its equipment properly. Training has been ongoing; each firefighter has completed about 120 hours of training related to the new truck, so far.

“It’s a lot bigger and longer,” training officer Tim Hyden said.

Those firefighters completed trainings that included a two-week ropes course and trainings from the engine’s manufacturer, along with the Clearwater Fire Department and others. 

Firefighters spent three days in December driving around the newest section of Rosedale to learn the vehicle’s requirements. For example, the top of the ladder, which includes a platform that protrudes over the top front of the vehicle, limits the visibility of signs, trees and power lines.

Whitehurst said the new truck will respond primarily to fires and will only go to medical calls if other engines are not available. 

The new truck replaces a ladder truck with a 75-foot ladder that was in service for 12 years. That truck is still in service as a backup vehicle.

Gear unique to Truck 619

The new ladder truck has much of the same equipment as a typical fire engine, however, it is equipped with additional specialized or modified equipment. 

100-foot Ladder

Ladder Truck 619 is the only fire engine in East Manatee Fire Rescue’s fleet that has a platform at the top of a 100-foot ladder. The platform allows firefighters a safe roosting spot as they cut through roofs from the top of the ladder. It also allows them to use a stokes basket, which is used to move fire rescue victims via a ropes system; it is an option that was not previously available.

The truck also has a special compartment for additional ladders at its back end. Typically, engines carry such ladders on their roofs. 

Pumps

Most fire engines are equipped with only one pump for firefighting. The new truck has two, allowing for it to spray more water at the scene of a fire, if required.

Blindspot Camera

The new truck has a camera on its front side to help its driver see objects in his blind spot. 

Console and dashboard

Inside the hood of the truck, firefighters have limited space. Radios, navigation, light switches for the ladder and other equipment is built into consoles and dashboards.

There are also above-head buttons for all light switches related to the ladder.

Specialized gear

A special compartment on the side of the truck holds all the crew’s specialized rope gear, as well as other equipment used for special rescues — high angle, low angle, water rescue and even firefighter rescue.

Air canisters

The new truck carries 10 canisters of compressed air compared with a typical truck’s four bottles. Each bottle contains 4,500 pounds of compressed air. Generally, 100 pounds of air provides one minute of breathing for firefighters, however, many will use up an entire bottle in 30 minutes.

K12 Saw

The new truck is the only one that carries a K12 saw, which is used to cut through surfaces such as metal roofs.

“Who says seven stories is the limit? This truck will be on the road for
20 years.”

– Lee Whitehurst, deputy chef of administration