Phoenix Metropolitan Area Fire Apparatus

[MFD76]

[quote name='countryEMT' timestamp='1352325038' post='502549']

What is a Ladder Tender exactly? what is carried on it? Looks like a Heavy Rescue to me....

[/quote]



Topeka, Kansas has used this concept for many years. They at first glance appear to be a custom cab rescue but a closer look reveals truck company equipment and ladders. Topeka uses the more traditional terminology of Truck Company for the City Service Trucks and Aerial for the Aerial Ladder apparatus. In the early days the door read Ladder Truck Company and Aerial Ladder Company. Topeka originally began using them in the more suburban areas that did not require an aerial. One or Two Trucks and Three or Four Aerials in the city. Over the years as a cost saving measure they moved to more Truck's and less Aerial's. Currently their are Four Trucks 3,9,10,11 and Two Aerials 5,8. They are planing in the next couple of year to add a seventh Truck Company and it will most likely be an Aerial Apparatus. All Trucks and Aerials are dry no pump or water. All are housed with an Engine Company although Truck Three ran during the mid to late 2000's for four years as a stand alone company until Engine 3 reopened.



Kansas City, Missouri from 1997 to 2004 implemented a seven rescue truck concept as a cost saving measure. This removed two tiller trucks, three pumpers, and six midi-pumpers. They purchased custom cab walk around rescues. Four of the seven were equipped with full ground ladders and took the place of the two tiller trucks and the farthest north and south mid-pumpers the other three were just tool wagons. All seven were called Rescue on the Radio. The concept never functioned as intended and all seven were eventually just manpower squads. The moved to three real heavy rescues with six man staffing in 2004-2005 and reopened one truck company and three pumpers also eliminating the three remaining 75ft Quints at the same time.



At one time City Service Trucks were very popular in the State of Kansas and the Kansas City Metro.



Rick