by Sequim Gazette staff

Clallam County Fire District 3 purchased a new-to-it ladder truck to replace a 28-year-old bucket-based vehicle.

The new truck, built by Sutphen, has a 100-foot ladder extension with a higher, more flexible reach than the previous truck, Public Information Officer Peter Loeb said.

Able to carry 500 gallons of water and pump it to suppress fires, the $475,000 truck is likely to help reduce insurance costs and improve the ability to protect lives and property.

“Along with our new Fire Inspection program, we intend to help reduce everyone’s fire insurance costs throughout the next five years,” said Fire Chief Steve Vogel.

The reductions derive from improving fire protection capabilities, which are reviewed by the Washington Surveying Bureau, he said.

“As always, we considered community needs for better protection, in this case during multistory fires,” Vogel said. “We purchased this year 2000 apparatus after determining that citizen safety would be taking an important step forward. The purchase decision also recognized the public’s expectation for prudent spending by its fire service.”

A brand-new ladder truck, similarly equipped, could have cost the fire district close to $1.4 million, Loeb said.

Initial financing in the fall of 2010 for the new ladder truck was provided by Sound Community Bank; that loan has since been paid back, Vogel said.

Firefighters are being trained on the new truck and it will be located at Station 34 and deployed throughout the district as necessary. During upcoming holidays the truck will be on display. The replaced truck will remain in the district as a reserve.