Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The Long Beach Fire Department has officially received its new tower ladder fire truck, a long-awaited replacement for an aging vehicle badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
The Long Beach City Council, in collaboration with the fire department, announced that the new truck arrived and was officially put into service on Jan. 2.
“The new ladder truck we just put into operation has been three years in the making,” Long Beach Fire Commissioner Joseph Miller said. “With the backlog of apparatus production after Covid, we are extremely excited to receive this new truck. The design of this particular truck allows our department to utilize it more efficiently than the previous one.”
The new truck is equipped with features that make it well-suited for Long Beach’s needs, according to Miller. Its tighter turning radius allows it to maneuver more easily through narrow streets, and its aerial system can be set up quickly, improving response times in emergencies. The truck’s bucket can also operate at lower angles, making it capable of reaching areas below street level or over water when required. To ensure durability in the coastal environment, the truck includes extra rustproof coatings to protect against salt air and water.
“After Sandy, we felt the need to design it to be able to handle the salt air and water with an additional rustproof coating that will prolong the life of the truck,” Miller said. “The purchase of this truck helps the fire department better serve the citizens of Long Beach.”
The truck was approved for purchase by the 2022 Long Beach City Council, which consisted of John Bendo, Roy Lester, Karen McInnis, Tina Posterli and Liz Treston. The resolution passed with a 4-1 vote, with Roy Lester casting the ‘no’ vote. At the time, Lester objected to the purchase process, stating that the truck should have been purchased through a competitive bidding process to potentially lower costs. Despite these concerns, the decision moved forward due to the need for a reliable vehicle to serve the city’s high-rise buildings and evolving urban landscape.
At the time of approval, the sitting city manager Donna Gayden sought funding assistance for around $1 million from FEMA to help cover the cost of the truck. However, those funds never materialized, and the truck was ultimately fully funded through the city’s capital budget.
During the interim period while the truck was under construction, the city ensured fire protection through temporary measures, including the use of a loaner vehicle.
Now fully delivered and in service, the new truck has already begun enhancing the capabilities of fire department, ensuring that firefighters are better equipped to respond to emergencies and protect the city’s residents, visitors and infrastructure.
