A ladder truck may be added to the Buffalo Fire Department fleet soon. But, it's not new. In fact, not even close.
The 26-year-old rig is older than some firefighters.
The Buffalo Common Council on Tuesday approved $175,000 for the purchase after a presentation by Fire Commissioner William Renaldo, WBFO reported.
Renaldo asked for $200,000, but the council reduced it based on the pricing of the truck.
Not everyone is looking forward to it.
“They’ve ignored the front-line apparatus for years. In five years, this commissioner has proactively ordered zero frontline engines and trucks…when you’re this desperate for the proper equipment, any purchase is better than nothing,” Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 President, Vincent Ventresca said.
The department has several pieces of apparatus on order and some may arrive next month.
The need for rigs was pointed out in an analysis of the department's response to the Christmas blizzard last year.
