In the heart of Pleasant Prairie, Fire Chief Doug McElmury and his team are putting their new aerial fire truck to the test at 100 feet above ground level. This $1.1 million, cutting-edge ladder truck marks a major leap forward for the village's firefighting capabilities, replacing a 29-year-old model that is now being sold off.

Chief McElmury explained that this state-of-the-art vehicle was showcased at the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Association Conference earlier this year. It took two full years to design and build this custom truck, which was incorporated into the village's budget as part of their regular equipment refresh cycle.

Looking around, McElmury highlighted the nearby industrial park, home to companies like Emco Chemical and Rustoleum. He also noted the presence of multi-story senior living complexes and apartment buildings, areas where the new tower ladder proves invaluable during rescue operations.

"One of the standout features of this truck is its master streams," McElmury continued. "These powerful hoses can be operated remotely using a sophisticated control unit. You can adjust everything from the spray pattern—like switching between a fine mist for flammable liquid fires or a solid stream for more intense Class A combustibles—to even setting up oscillation to cover larger areas."

With the ability to operate remotely from up to a quarter-mile away, firefighters can initiate water flow directly from the scene and then retreat to safer positions while continuing to monitor and adjust the situation. The truck itself weighs approximately 78,000 pounds and measures 47 feet long and 11 feet tall. Its LED lights make it not just a fire engine but also a portable light tower, providing crucial illumination during emergencies.

Advanced thermal imaging technology integrated into the truck allows teams to detect hotspots and cooler zones within a structure, making firefighting efforts more efficient and safe. Operating the truck will require skilled pump operators, and the fire department recently completed their factory training over the weekend. Further hands-on training will continue for another four to five weeks before the truck officially hits the streets in April.

"This is by far one of the most complex pieces of equipment any fire department typically owns," McElmury admitted. "Sure, the ladder is impressive, but think of this truck as a mobile toolbox packed with advanced features."

Thanks, Dan!

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