INVESTMENT IN SAFETY: Dracut Fire Department Accepts Delivery of New Tower 1

The Dracut Fire Department’s new Tower 1 truck is parked in front of Dracut Fire Headquarters on Friday morning, shortly after it was delivered by Greenwood Emergency Vehicles. The new truck, which is expected to last 25 years, represents a $1.56 million investment in public safety in Dracut. The truck will significantly improve firefighter safety, and the ability of firefighters to make rescues and conduct aerial operations. (Photo Courtesy Dracut Fire Department)

DRACUT — The Town of Dracut accepted delivery of a major investment in public safety and firefighter safety Friday morning as a new Tower 1 truck was delivered by Greenwood Emergency Vehicles.

The new vehicle, a 2025 E-1 Tower truck, will replace an aging 1999 E-1 Ladder truck and make significant improvements to firefighter safety, and the ability of firefighters to make rescues and conduct aerial operations.

The 1999 Ladder truck has a 110-foot aerial ladder that firefighters have to climb without safety harnesses. The new Tower 1 includes a platform at the end of a 95-foot ladder that can carry up to 2,000 pounds of personnel and equipment within an enclosed space where firefighters can safely work. The platform also enables firefighters to ride up in the platform, instead of deploying the aerial and then climbing the ladder.

“Deploying a Tower truck instead of a Ladder truck will significantly improve firefighter safety, while also improving our efficiency during emergencies,” said Chief Michael Cunha. “Having a Tower truck instead of a Ladder will also enable us to more securely rescue residents during fires.”

The delivery comes at the end of a yearslong process that began in 2022, when the Town of Dracut agreed to invest $1.56 million into purchasing a new Tower truck for the department. Tower 1 will be the only aerial apparatus deployed by the Dracut Fire Department when it replaces Ladder 1.

Stationed at Dracut Fire Headquarters, Tower 1 will be equipped with extrication tools and will respond to all motor vehicle accidents with possible entrapment. Tower 1 and it’s crew of three will also respond to all possible structure fires in town.

The truck carries eight ground ladders in addition to its large 95-foot aerial ladder with platform. The Tower is also capable of pumping 1,000s of gallons of water per minute through a fixed waterway that extends upward along with the platform.

Firefighters will now spend four to six weeks equipping the vehicle, familiarizing themselves with the vehicle, and training to use it before it is deployed to emergencies.

Tower 1 is expected to remain in service for about 25 years.

“This is our only aerial truck, and it represents a major investment in public safety that will last decades here in Dracut,” said Chief Cunha. “I want to thank the town’s administration, the Select Board, the Truck Committee and taxpayers for the support they have shown us. This vehicle will vastly improve firefighter safety, and improve our ability to rescue people and conduct aerial operations.”

Members of the Dracut Fire Department Truck Committee are Capt. Kevin Bigold, retired Lt. Kevin Martin, Firefighter Chris Gagne, and Firefighter Tom Joyce along with mechanic Pete Dion.