A new ladder truck will soon join the Foley Fire Department fleet as part of continuing work to improve protection in the city. Foley’s new $1.4-million ladder truck is scheduled to be delivered in November. The truck will be stationed at Fire Station No.3.
Fire Chief Joey Darby told City Council members that the ladder truck, ordered in late 2023, should be delivered in Foley this fall.
“Our ladder truck is in final production, so we’re excited about that,” Darby said. “We’re on track for hopefully a completion date at the end of October, which means that we’ll have to make a trip up to Minnesota, hopefully early November, and see that truck arrive.”
Darby said large vehicles, such as ladder trucks, often take as much as three years to complete and prepare.
Council members voted recently to order equipment for the new ladder truck at a cost $84,137.92. The equipment will allow the truck to be used as a pumper or ladder truck
The city had already ordered hydraulic rescue tools for the vehicle at a cost of about $40,000. Darby said the total cost of tools and equipment for the new truck is less than the $150,000 budgeted for the material.
The truck has a 78-foot-tall aerial ladder. It also has a water tank and pump, full load of fire hose and ground ladders, allowing the unit to function as a custom pumper or aerial ladder.
The vehicle is in the final stages of production at the Rosenbauer manufacturing facility in Minnesota. The estimated final cost for the truck is $1.4 million.
The truck will be assigned to Fire Station No. 3 and will be staffed with a crew of four firefighters at all times.
Foley is also moving forward with plans to build a new facility, Station No. 4, on East Fern Avenue.
The station is in the design phase. The design is expected to be completed in March 2027.
The city budget that went into effect Thursday, Oct. 1, also includes money for renovations and improvements at Fire Station No. 1. The work will strengthen the building to better withstand high winds and storms. The project will also provide a new roof system and begin preparations for a new exterior.
The Foley Fire Rescue Department is also working to renovate and rebuild the fire training facility burn tower during the current year.
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