Walker County approves $1.47 million ladder truck after June crash; chairwoman flags prior limited insurance

Walker County commissioners voted July 10 to approve a purchase order for a replacement ladder truck after the county’s frontline aerial apparatus was lost in a June 24 accident.

Fire Chief Blake Hodge told the board the county located a Pierce stock unit that matches the department’s operational needs and is available sooner than a custom unit. “We were very fortunate to secure the option on this particular truck because if not, we’ll be waiting 2 to 4 years,” Hodge said, describing typical lead times and manufacturer availability. He said the truck under contract is lighter, has a shorter wheelbase more suited to county roads, and carries warranties including a 20‑year structural warranty on the ladder and a 10‑year structural/paint warranty for the rescue body.

Chairwoman Angela Teams told the board she and staff are examining payment options and that the county is “analyzing multiple options to ensure that we select the most cost effective approach.” Teams also disclosed that an insurance review found the totaled ladder had not carried full‑coverage insurance and that the county had been paying liability-only coverage for years. “According to the insurance company… the county saved approximately $11,220 over the past 12 years by not insuring this vehicle with full coverage, although the truck was valued at approximately $640,000,” Teams said, calling that a disproportionate risk.

Commissioners voted to approve purchase order number 2025-0002338 in the amount of $1,469,735 so the county can secure the stock unit; the county will not pay until the truck is delivered. Staff told the board they will return to a future meeting with specifics on whether the county will finance the truck or use fund balance. Commissioner discussion made clear the board expects the payment method to be presented publicly before final financing arrangements are executed.

Hodge said the truck was slated to come off the production line in September, with delivery to Walker County possibly in October, subject to the usual production timing and parts availability. He recommended against buying a used aerial, saying used apparatus often carry maintenance problems that can increase lifecycle costs. Hodge noted the county’s reserve aerial is 28–29 years old and is maintained primarily for ISO credit but is unreliable as a front‑line unit.

The board directed staff to return with financing options publicly. Teams also said staff recently tightened insurance coverage across the county’s fleet after the accident; she provided an estimate that countywide auto coverage will rise from roughly $406,618 to $452,618 annually with the recent coverage changes.

Why this matters: the ladder truck is a critical piece of emergency equipment for the county’s fire response. The board’s decision secures an available unit but triggers larger budget and insurance questions the commissioners said they will resolve in public session.