News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Crossville ladder truck that is just three-years-old could be deemed a complete loss after an electrical accident at fire station #2.
Fire Chief Chris South said the incident occurred on February 11th during a routine check by a senior fire fighter.
“He extended the ladder to full extension and in a lapse of judgement and obviously against all of our training standards, contacted the electric lines that run adjacent to the fire station,” South said.
South said some 14,000 volts ran through the vehicle. South said the city should anticipate a full total loss after the vehicle’s manufacturer estimated several hundred thousand dollars of damage.
“They’re saying the electrical system has obviously been fried,” South said. “The ladder itself it is completely toast. It has burnt most of it.”
South said the department will need to transport the ladder truck to the Pierce Refurbish Center in Wisconsin. South said the trip would cost about $9,000. South said insurance would cover about $4,000.
“Once we get it to the Pierce Center, they are going to begin their extensive damage assessment and come up with some numbers as to whether or not where it economically lays out,” South said. “Is it something worth fixing if?”
South said with the unexpected accident, a budget amendment will be needed to pay for the trip and company assessment. The item will be considered by the Crossville City Council Tuesday.
South said even if the truck was to be rebuilt, he worries about the long-term impacts from the electrocution. South said the city would be two years out on finding another apparatus if a replacement is needed.”
“It is going to be a devastating, unfortunately devastating loss,” South said. “I am fearful.”
South said the department was “very fortunate” that no one was injured in the accident. South said the worker no longer works for the department.
