That's a longstanding Gardens tradition. Years back, their medic trucks were the same but they had to change it to conform to KKK specs. They get the nicest new rigs all the time! Just gotta ripen them up a bit.
Wow 04s and 05s in reserve? do they beat the hell out of their rigs?
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No they don't, they actually take great care of them. They just have a very ambitious Pierce apparatus replacement program. If a department can ever get hold of one that's been traded in, grab it!
Always has surprised me for such a traditional rig and the quick replacement they have not switched back to RED. I am sure they sell them quick but red would give a better resale.
The Gardens Pierce Arrow Tele-Squirt 1989ish 65ft was sold to West Platte Fire Protection District here in Kansas City ten years ago. West Platte had it painted white over red when before delivery. West Platte is on the far far northwest side of the metro. They used the rig for about ten years and traded or sold it for a new Pierce PUC. They determined they no longer needed an aerial device and it began to have mechanical issues. It was a cool rig.
Nope....aluminum is more expensive but not much more when factored across an entire apparatus. The real benefit is greater heat dissipation than steel resulting in less brake fade after multiple applications on a run and by extension, longer brake life.