Norwood’s new 85-foot aerial ladler truck rumbled into town late Monday to take its place in the Norwood Fire Department as the most modern piece of fire-fighting equipment of its kind available.
The truck had been expected the latter part of last week but a transportation delay was encountered because of the two-day victory holidays.
Shipped by rail from the manufacturer, Peter Pirsch & Sons, in Wisconsin, the truck was unloaded from a flat car in Boston and driven to Norwood Monday afternoon in charge of a company representative, arriving at 4*45 p.m.
Parked temporarily in the rear of the fire station, townspeople had their first opportunity to inspect the equipment for which $19,000 was appropriated by the voters in April of 1942. The truck had been on order since April, 1944.
The new apparatus replaces a ladder truck which has been in service here for 28 years. It carries 200 feet of wooden ground and roof ladders in addition to the 85-foot aluminum aerial ladder operated by a hydraulic hoist ladder pipe which will enable water to be directed from the top of the ladder will be installed later. This equipment was ordered after the original contract was placed, and therefore did not arrive with the truck.
The truck has a seven-man cab, providing space for three men in the driver’s seat, and for four more just to the rear in a compartment over a 100-gallon booster tank and pump. The rear end of the vehicle is controlled by separate steering apparatus.
Fire Chief Alonzo Earle stated that a manufacturer’s representative will remain in Norwood all week to instruct firemen in the operation of the new equipment
The truck, he said, will be in active service within a reasonable period of time.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)