The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department is retiring an aging fire engine and replacing it with a new $790,000 aerial ladder truck fresh off the assembly line.
The City Council unanimously approved the purchase this week, which includes an additional $44,000 needed for add-ons to the demo truck that was previously going to be used as a model.
Because the truck is not specifically designed for Crystal Lake, certain modifications will be made to meet city standards. Those additions include emergency vehicle preemption and lighting, sirens and air horns, a back-up camera, fortified bumper, exhaust extraction, emergency medical compartment and adjustable shelving, as well as an internal communication and hearing protection system and radios and antennas.
The truck will allow firefighters to perform rescues from elevated and difficult locations and assist in ventilation for structure fires and elevated large-volume water streams, among other things. It will be fully operational within 60 days, Chief James Moore said.
It replaces a 24-year-old fire engine that has had numerous mechanical failures, which have placed it out of service for more than six months during the past two years, according to city documents.
Once the new truck is received, the old one will be auctioned off.
