By DREW GARDNER
6 News Reporter
GATLINBURG (WATE) - The Gatlinburg Fire
Department celebrated a new addition to its fleet as Ladder 31 went into
service late Monday morning.
"It's a combination of
both an engine and a ladder truck," said Chief Greg Miller. "It has a 78-foot
aerial device on the tip of it. It has a tank. It has a hose. It has the aerial
ladder as well as the ground ladders. It's like a multipurpose vehicle"
Chief Miller said the
new truck not only gives added protection to the community, but it also cuts
costs for taxpayers.
"It's just a smart way
to go these days, because it saves the taxpayers the money of having to have two
separate vehicles to do the same thing," said
Miller.
That's not the only
way it's saving money. The department holds a Class 3 Public Protection
Classification with the Insurance Services Office, a distinction that allows
property owners and residents to receive better insurance
rates.
"This addition to our
fleet just helps to maintain that and we're always looking for ways to improve
that with each addition," said Miller.
While the department
is never eager to have to fight a fire, they are eager to put those tax dollars
to work as soon as it's needed.
The $600,000 truck will
be staffed with more firefighters than other vehicles, but the chief said it will also allow them to take out fewer vehicles than
before.
The truck cost $600,000 and is expected to save both taxpayers and the department more money.
"It's a combination of both an engine and a ladder truck," said Chief Greg Miller.
