Des Plaines looks at buying Lake Zurich tower ladder
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In November, we shared an update about the Lake Zurich Fire Department's plan to sell their Pierce tower ladder. Since then, local media outlets such as the *Journal Topics* and the *Daily Herald* have covered the Des Plaines Fire Department’s interest in acquiring the used equipment.
According to a *Journal Topics* article published last Thursday, the Des Plaines City Council’s public safety committee is set to review the potential purchase of a used fire ladder truck from Lake Zurich. This option could offer a more affordable alternative to buying a brand-new unit.
Ald. Walsten, a member of the council, highlighted the challenges with the current 23-year-old Simon LTI ladder truck, which is in poor condition and no longer supported by the manufacturer. “We’ve had to order custom parts at a high cost and with long lead times,†he explained. Fire Chief Alan Wax added that the existing truck is beyond its useful life and will soon need to be retired.
The 2013 budget included $1.4 million for a new ladder truck, but the decision has been delayed while the city evaluates whether two ladder trucks are necessary. Even if only one were to remain in service, a backup unit would still be required, according to Walsten.
When the possibility of purchasing the Lake Zurich truck came up, Walsten was very excited. The 2000 Pierce model, with just 66,000 miles on it, was inspected by a consultant who confirmed it was in excellent condition. “This deal could save taxpayers nearly $1 million,†he said. The total estimated cost for the used truck, plus additional equipment and potential savings from scrapping the old unit, is under $390,000.
Meanwhile, the *Daily Herald* reported that the city’s public safety committee has recommended the purchase of the used aerial ladder truck from Lake Zurich. The current fleet includes two ladder trucks, one for each side of town, due to the city’s 32 at-grade railroad crossings, which complicate response times.
Although the appraised value of the Lake Zurich truck is only $10,000, officials believe it is still worth considering given its low mileage and good condition. The city is also reviewing whether having two ladder trucks is essential, with a study pending on the matter.
With the new acquisition, Des Plaines could significantly reduce costs while maintaining critical emergency response capabilities. More details can be found in the full articles linked below.