| In April, the SVFD purchased a unique piece of apparatus, a 1993 Simon-Duplex 100' tillered aerial apparatus. In the hampton roads area, only two other departments (Chesapeake and Virginia Beach) have this type of apparatus, one that takes two drivers to operate. The apparatus previously served Belvedere, Wa and was then purchased by the SVFD who sent several members to Ephrata Pa to pick it up. Its manuverability is second to none and will help negotiate some of the tight streets in the downtown area. The apparatus is basically a tractor trailer, the length of the vehicle is 53', its aerial is a steel truss built non-prepiped aerial, it has an on-board truck diesel generator for powering lights and electrical cords. It will carry the normal compliment of truck company tools and has seating for 5 firefighters with a 6th seat soon to be added. Training for this apparatus must be rigorous, the dept. has already sent several members through the VDFP S4 EVOC for tractor drawn apparatus, in house training to include classroom/apparatus familiarization, cone courses, on street driving time and aerial operations begins June 7. This apparatus is expected to go in service in late July and will be stationed at our main headquarters on South Church St with Truck 50 eventually moving to the downtown station, apparatus call sign will be Ladder 50 |
