News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville Fire Department hopes to replace its 48-year-old ladder truck this year.
The 1972 American Lafrance fire truck has a 100-foot ladder with no water pump and is unrepairable. Fire Chief Daryl Blair said the new truck will be custom made to the needs of Cookeville.
“We are going to try to get the best competitive price for the best product that we can for what we feel that our community needs,” Blair said. “Things have changed since 1972. Our call volume is drastically more this day and time.”
Blair said a new truck would cost roughly $1.2 million. City council members will consider paying for the truck as part of a bond issue this year.
Cookeville currently has two Sutphen fire trucks in service in fleet. One has a 75-foot ladder while the other has a 100-foot aerial platform. Blair said preparing the new truck for service would take around a year.
“We believe this is the best route to go to provide the best customer service we are able to,” Blair said.
Cookeville City Council members will pass a final budget in June.
