TELLICO VILLAGE, Tenn. — After two years of saving and long-term planning, the Tellico Village Fire Department recently announced its newest purchase: A $1.5 million ladder truck will now be added to the fleet.
In an announcement release, the TVVFD credited sound financial planning from their board of directors for ensuring that the transaction would still leave the department debt-free thanks to a multi-year financial process.
“Purchasing fire apparatus takes years of planning,” said TVVFD Chief Jerry Dougherty.
A SINGLE GUIDING QUESTION
“The team began two years ago by asking a single guiding question: What will our community truly need from the fire department over the next 30 years?”
The other challenge, the TVVFD said, was ensuring that the vehicle was able to accommodate the unique layout and landscape of Tellico Village.
Having to serve multi-story living facilities, large churches and commercial buildings as well as wood-frame homes in almost every neighborhood, the department explained that a truck with “modern capabilities” was essential.
Combined with the more rural setting and narrow roadways, it also needed to be nimble and up to date.
AN UPTICK IN EMERGENCY CALLS
According to the release, the department is seeing an uptick in emergency calls nearly every year.
The department has spent plenty of time looking over its options in the past two years. Through attending conferences and hosting manufacturers, the group was able to do some hands-on testing and research.
Aspects like pump capacity, turning radius and hose connections were all examined so that “Every detail was measured against safety, reliability and long-term value,” per their release.
“We worked diligently to secure the best possible deal for the community,” said Chief Dougherty.
The new ladder truck will replace the department’s previously used 30-year-old vehicle.
New features will include more modern features that the previous vehicle was missing such as an antilock braking system, airbags, rollover protection and more crew safety designs.
The ladder itself will also have a greater range of extension, the pump will have a larger capacity and the truck itself will be far more flexible than the past equipment.
The final contract signed had an almost 10% reduction in its original price, with no money down and payment due in late 2027.
The department is retaining its debt-free status through the purchase, and the group is already engaging in conferences to go over the truck’s new specifications.
According to the release, the truck is said to be ready for use for the TVVFD sometime in late 2027.
