Submitted photo
Daisy Mountain Fire Department, serving the North Valley, recently added
a ladder truck to its stable of emergency vehicles. Up until April 11
the department relied on Phoenix based fire stations at either I-17
and Union Hills or the Loop 101 and 35th Ave. in situations where a
ladder truck was needed.
COMMUNITY
NEWS
Daisy Mt. Fire adds ladder truck
Submitted article ~5/4/2011The Daisy Mountain Fire Department’s long-awaited Ladder Truck was
put into service on April 11. The ladder truck is housed at Fire Station
142 located in Anthem. Crews have been operating out of a much smaller
truck known as a Ladder Tender. The Ladder Tender carries the same
equipment with the exception of a 100’ platform utilized to access
commercial buildings such as Boulder Creek High School, and the Bella
Rosa Apartments. The ladder tender is much more economical to operate
and will still be in service responding to incidents in which the
Ladder Truck is not needed.
Ladder 142 does not carry water like a traditional fire pumper or
engine. Instead, Ladder 142 carries a full complement of specialty
tools to support firefighting and rescue efforts. Ladder crews provide
ventilation during fires, significantly reducing temperatures and
improving visibility for interior firefighters. In conjunction with
firefighting efforts, ladder crews are put to work protecting furniture
and other belongings from smoke and water, minimizing damage from
the fire. When patients are trapped in auto accidents, special extrication
equipment is utilized to free them. In addition to the specialty needs,
Ladder and Ladder Tender 142 are available to respond to medical calls
in the District staffed with paramedics to provide the highest level
of advanced pre-hospital medical care.
The Daisy Mountain Fire Department participates in an automatic aid
system along with 26 other Valley Fire Departments. Until now if a
ladder truck was needed in the far North Valley, Phoenix Fire Ladder
41 was dispatched from I-17 and Union Hills or Ladder 50 located just
north of the 101 freeway on 35th avenue. Assuming that the trucks
were available when needed, a 15 to 20 minute response time was expected
due to their location. Having this resource available to citizens
of the Daisy Mountain Fire District greatly improves the services
and assures a rapid response. The department’s goal is to have apparatus
safely on scene of any emergency within five minutes.
Citizens are welcomed to stop by and tour all the Daisy Mountain Fire
Stations and apparatus. For a map of locations visit daisymountainfire.org.