Boca Raton firefighters unveil new ladder truck

Boca Raton firefighters on Tuesday welcomed their new 75-foot ladder truck for Fire Station No. 5, looking toward the future.

The department held a dedication ceremony to celebrate the truck’s arrival at the station, at 2333 W. Glades Road, near the Town Center at Boca Raton mall.

“Boca Raton is growing, so we’re getting busier,” said Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services Capt. Chris King, among the first, three-member crew.

The truck brings the firefighters’ fleet to a total of four ladder trucks, including the new one, and four engines in the city’s eight fire stations.

With LED lighting and a high-tech cab, the barebones vehicle was $880,000 and topped out at more than $1.1 million fully equipped, said Assistant Fire Chief Mike LaSalle.

“The extrication equipment is much improved,” he said of the Jaws of Life hydraulic rescue tool, packed neatly into a compartment in front.

The vehicle also has advanced life support, an onboard water capacity of 450 gallons, a separate 40-gallon foam tank. It can pump 1,500 gallons a minute.

“This is a large tool box to save lives and property,” Capt. David Eddinger, the firefighters’ union president.

The ladder truck will be used to respond to situations including highway emergencies and to extinguish fires at higher altitudes, such as the attics of homes.

The new vehicle will be used to serve: Town Center at Boca Raton mall; Boca Raton High School; Florida Atlantic and Lynn universities; I-95 from Glades to Palmetto Park roads; homes and senior care centers along Via Verde; the business district called Midtown from Camino Real to 19th Street slated for redevelopment.

The ladder truck that the new one replaces at Station No. 5 went into service in 2009 and won’t be retired. The vehicle will most likely be re-purposed at Station No. 7 at Powerline and Jog roads, crew member King said.

Also in service is a 100-foot ladder truck with a bucket on top. It’s stationed in a sector with high-rises, primarily along State Road A1A at Station No. 1.

mshatzman@sun-sentinel .com