New Franklin ladder truck delayed; bodywork and outfitting likely push service date to May

The Franklin Fire Department’s new ladder truck is undergoing body repairs and additional outfitting that together are likely to delay the vehicle’s entry into service until May, the Fire Chief told the commission.

The chief said a windshield wiper flew off while the truck was being transported from Florida and scratched the front; the truck is in a body shop for paint repair. When delivered, department staff also discovered a feature missing for storing spare SCBA air bottles; the truck will go to the manufacturer’s Saint John location for installation of those tubes once bodywork is complete. "It's supposed to come out of the body shop this week, then it's gonna go up north to their Saint John location and have those tubes put in," the Fire Chief said.

The chief said graphics and mounting remain to be installed and that work on a station bay floor — removal of concrete and replating/epoxy work for relocated plumbing — must be finished before the truck can be placed in service. Because of those steps, the department is "probably looking at maybe even May" before the truck returns to active duty, the chief said. The department plans a combined dedication of the truck and the station when schedules align; commissioners asked to be notified in advance so they can attend.

No budgetary figures or changes in operational capability were recorded during the discussion. The department will provide an updated timetable and notification when a dedication date is scheduled.