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Whitestown fire chief warns ladder truck aging, urges replacement plan and station updates
Summary
At a June 4 Whitestown Fire Board meeting the fire chief described repeated maintenance costs on ladder apparatus, estimated a $2 million replacement cost and urged the board to develop a funding and siting plan; station 271 also needs renovations estimated at $60,000–$90,000.
Whitestown Fire Chief told the Whitestown Fire Board on June 4 that the department’s primary ladder apparatus (Ladder 271) is aging, has required repeated repairs and needs replacement, and that a new ladder unit would cost about $2,000,000 and take years to build.
The chief said the department had already spent “every bit of $10,000 into it this year” on maintenance and now faces a needed repair to the lift hydraulic cylinders. He told the board the repair shop may be able to rebuild the cylinders but emphasized the ongoing maintenance as evidence of the truck’s age and the urgency to plan for a replacement.
Why this matters: ladder apparatus availability affects the department’s ability to respond to multi-story rescues and to serve assisted-living facilities in the district. The chief noted that apparatus specifications, build times and station siting make replacement a multiyear project that requires early planning and funding decisions.
Details the chief provided include that the reserve apparatus (a 17-year-old unit) and Ladder 271 have had repeated maintenance issues; new-build lead times for custom apparatus are typically about three years and in some cases three-and-a-half to four years. The chief said there may be near-spec units becoming available sooner, but the department must still submit specifications and secure funding in time to avoid gaps in coverage.
Board members raised placement and operational questions. One board member suggested locating a new apparatus at Station 272 because Station 272 has slightly higher run volume than 271; the chief responded that Ladder 272’s bucket configuration is more suited to areas with multi-story assisted-living facilities while the other truck is a straight stick, and that apparatus assignment depends on unit capabilities and personnel availability.
The chief said the department is also considering alternatives such as purchasing a smaller squad to reduce wear on larger apparatus and pursuing staffing increases to put a third fire apparatus into regular service. He framed the effort as contingent on available finances and recommended the board develop a replacement plan and funding strategy.
Separately, the chief reported that Station 271 requires interior repairs and upgrades. The department received quotes from vendors for replacing kitchen and day-room flooring, nine windows, new kitchen cabinets and appliances, lighting and painting. The chief said three responsive quotes were obtained and that the work is likely to be funded from the department’s capital outlay line, with an estimated cost in the “$60,000 to $90,000” range.
No formal motions or funding approvals were made at the meeting; the chief said he plans to present formal recommendations, specifications and funding requests at the July meeting so the board can consider next steps.
