New Fire Truck
 

In the 3/24 paper, page C3, is an article about the new fire truck that Villages Public Safety has purchased. Its key feature is a ladder that will reach a 10 story building, like the Brownwood Hotel. Its cost, about $1 million.

No wonder our annual fire assessment has to increase. I do not begrudge the firefighters a fair wage, but no houses are 10 stories tall, only businesses.

That's a good reason for a public safety impact fee on commercial property.

I'm pretty sure that our fireman also protect homes outside of TV, businesses, schools, and churches and even other communitie's fires when needed. Our assessment has not increased. I'm sure it will in the future but so far it has not.

Our firefighters should have all the equipment they need but why in the world are we paying for something that can go 10 stories high?

Comes in handy for high angle rescue too. You never know when someone might get stuck while painting one of the water towers. lol

Even in a three story building the ladder is extended out so that the water can be directed into the building or on the roof. Also there are other buildings such as the assisted living facilities that have several floors.

Churches, hospitals, apartment buildings even if not 10 stories, (Sumter Grande is pretty high), and future buildings. Adding extra footage to the ladder probably didn't add all that much to the total price of the truck.

Note that the Fire Department doesn't rely entirely on the annual assessments. They also receive Federal grants. Last year, they received at least one $6.5 million Federal grant.

First off the ladder usually sets up outside the collapse zone. Also IF there are cars, lawns, bushes, dumpster etc. they have to stay away from those items so the ladder can operate. It has a 100 ft. reach at an angle. Hospitals, multi story apartments and commercial building require longer reach. Even a house with a 25 to 30 front yard plus the vehicle set up with jacks or outriggers can require the longer ladder reach. Stop by someday they'll be more then happy to explain the operation to you.

That ladder truck will be in the junk yard before it is ever used to put out a fire.

New Fire Truck
 

Great now defund the Fire Department

The Brownwood hotel paid an impact fee when it was built wonder how tall the hospital will be?

Not put out a fire it will be used just like any of the other trucks, but certainly before the 100 foot ladder is needed. The current ladder truck is 75 feet wonder how many times that ladder was needed.

I've just received a notice that they will increase fire protection assessment maximum from $125 to $360. Haven't you?

They did not say it is increasing. They held the required hearing for public comment because there is consideration being given to raise the ceiling of the assessment.

With the hotel and medical center, they probably needed the ladder. I would assume you do not need a ladder for the one family homes. If they raise the ceiling, they will raise the fees no doubt.

Agree but nonetheless commercial properties should be levied an impact fee since their presence does impact on our infrastructure and services. Those fees would be buried in their cost of doing business

Im sure the FD works mutual aid with surrounding areas AND we dont protect businesses.???? You brush off a possible business fire as no big deal. Would be a big deal if you were conducting business in it at the time. And a ladder truck is a major asset to protecting the firefighters and making their tough job a little easier!

No, read the notice again. Youre putting your own spin on it!

Thank you. You are exactly correct I like the way everyone doesnt actually READ the notices and immediately jumps to conclusions

Impact fees are not used for wages or equipment, only roads and infrastructure. I’m sure you’re made the same gripe when they bought their current 75’ ladder truck. With 130,000 people and potentially 250,000 in the future, TVFD must be prepared. TVFD is one of the best, with very rapid response time to all emergencies. You will be more grateful when you need them.

Apartments
 

There will be more apartment buildings in the Villages in the future. Who’s to say they won’t be 10 stories tall at this point?

I really wish people would get informed and have some facts before they run off at the mouth with negativity.

The ladder doesn’t reach 10 stories. That was bluster. It realistically is 7 stories.

100 feet is standard in ladder trucks. They are not made custom. You can not get a 50 foot ladder.

It’s also not about the height. If the truck can not be put directly next to the building then the length is increased due to the reach from being farther out.

I don’t know with certainty about the state of Florida however, other states won’t allow a building to be built over 3 stories if the fire department does not have the ability to reach above that. Although the department already has 2 ladder trucks, they must be replaced at regular intervals. You can not buy a fire truck and think it will last 30 years, at least not in a respectable agency. I do not know the age of the other trucks but considering the time the department has been operating and the ever great expansion it is a very realistic possibility it was time to upgrade c

$1 million is on the cheaper side for a fire truck, especially a ladder. They could have and should have purchased a Tower Ladder which has a bucket because you are not getting most people especially elderly to climb down that ladder however, Tower Ladders will cost $1.5 million on the cheap end. We know how much crying and complaining that would cause.

The departments ISO rating will apparently increase. This is what insurance companies base their rates off of. So if the ISO rating increases your home owners insurance should decrease for at least not increase.

Unless you have been in the fire service or have a background in Risk Assessment you should ask people with better information then just starting off complaining about it with your armchair quarterback knowledge.

I want the best fire service and equipment that’s available. I hope I never need them but it’s like insurance, you want the assurance that you’ll be taken care of if something happens.

How about investing in a few more ambulances? Seems we have way more medical emergencies than fires.

:bigbow:

Some good positive reasons for needing a ladder truck, or even a tower ladder. Reach is one good reason, If you have a 4 - 5 story building. ground ladders will not reach these. With setback, 100' will be used up quickly. Ladders generally come 75', 85', 100', or now some I believe are 110'. Cost difference is not much from a 75' - 100' just adding another fly section, from 3 - 4 sections. They do much more than just reach. Keep in mind at a busy scene, once in place, they generally don't move. They are necessary in ventilation operations, rescue operations, they carry most of your heavy rescue equipment. And believe it or not they reduce your fire insurance. Let's not bash the FD or their equipment. Ladder trucks are an essential part of any fire service. When you need them, they'll come.

& they are cool in parades.
:coolsmiley:

Sadly, people just like to complain. You do not even need to know anything about any subject to complain.

:1rotfl: yes, there is that, too:clap2:

Do they have a Snorkel Truck here?

I agree a "Platform" ladder would incur a better cost/benefit. I operated one in Miami Beach. We had a priority dispatch system where all fire units ran EMS calls, as well as fires, based on availability. Ladder trucks are also used in all types of special operations and technical rescue situations.

Yes, we all hope that it is never needed.

All citizens should be able to be served by this equipment. If I'm high up in a hotel, I'd like to know I can be saved by this equipment. Fire and safety equipment should be able to handle any building or situation that would be possible in the area.

Don't look at it as costing $1 M and don't just think of a ladder truck is just for for "tall buildings", that's also a lot of reach for places that are set back off of the street. You can't just plop a 100' aerial on the front lawn somewhere, even though at times you have no choice, it should be on pavement so it doesn't sink.

So if you have a two story building with 30' of frontage you'll need that aerial's reach to get to the roof in order to vent or to reach a top floor window.

Ladder companies perform many functions on the fire ground. Life safety is a top priority, ladder companies are generally assigned search and rescue as well as ventilation at a fire. Sometimes egress through the interior is compromised due to fire conditions. Having a 100' ladder gives the command officer more tools in his tool box to effect rescues of civilians and in some cases other firefighters.

That ladder will also allow firefighters to ventilate from a safer position than from a ground ladder or a roof ladder. It expidites the process when seconds count, it also is a help in a limited manpower situation because let's face it, The Villages Fire Department is far from "riding heavy" when it comes to manpower.

I'm all for paying the guys to the job, it's dangerous, I did it for 25 years but if you can also give them the ability to do the job safer you do so.

I agree. Safety is number one, and the right equipment should be available. I admire the good work of our firefighters and do not question the need for this truck.

I am just trying to make the case that, in addition to the road impact fee, a public safety impact fee should also be assessed.

So sad to see so many "experts" weighing in on the need for this vehicle...with no knowledge of how it is used or what the purpose of the vehicle is. This is a necessary piece of equipment that will serve the community well for many years. I hope it will never be used...but if it is needed (high-angle rescue, below grade rescue, house fire, commercial fire or any other emergency) it will be a valuable asset. Please leave the decision on what is needed to the experts...

Freedom Pointe is seven stories tall in places.

I'm a little surprised we didn't have one already.
Glad it's in the FD arsenal now.

They claim it will reduce homeowners insurance rates.

[QUOTE=Stu from NYC;1920942]Our firefighters should have all the equipment they need but why in the world are we paying for something that can go 10 stories high?[/QUOTE

Maybe the old "rather be safe than sorry" ? Watching the devastation in Alabama this morning made me think of Charlie and some of the tornadoes that have ripped through our community. Can you imagine the human tragedy if one of our hospitals had hundreds of patients, already bedridden, hit like some in Alabama have been in the past ? Might never be used, may save many lives, but you have to HAVE it ready, can't do an "after the fact" ! ? Just a thought. Seems a lot of high rise building going on around here, and more planned (over where they tore down the country club/pool gossip says "could" be high rise apartments, if not, probably somewhere in the V's)