A new firefighting weapon rolled into Alexandria Friday, Jan. 21.
It’s a $1.24 million aerial fire truck that will replace a 1999 ladder truck that needed extensive repairs, according to Fire Chief Jeff Karrow.
The truck, a Rosenbauer Commander/Cobra platform apparatus, was recommended by the fire department’s truck committee that studied five different aerial trucks. The Alexandria City Council approved the purchase last February.
One advantage of the Rosenbauer is its bucket, Karrow said. It's significantly larger to accommodate more personnel and a basket to carry victims during high-level rescues. Karrow noted that since 2016, the city has added 333 multi-level apartment units.
Some other advantages of the Rosenbauer, according to Karrow:
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- It has four outriggers or jacks in the back that keep the truck level while other trucks only have three.
- It has a thermal imaging camera in the bucket and the option of adding a remote control for monitors.
- Rosenbauer will provide training for the Alexandria Fire Department on using the truck.
- It has a 400-plus gallon water tank, 100 more than the current aerial truck, and a 30-gallon foam tank.
- It comes with an extreme cold weather package.
- It has tandem axles for stability, not a single axle.
- The truck also has drop-down storage for 800-feet of hose. Without that storage, firefighters would have to crawl on top of the aerial.
Karrow added that Rosenbauer is a Minnesota company that will be able to provide a fast diagnosis of any repairs.
