Munroe Falls considers buying a ladder truck that fits down city streets

Munroe Falls firefighters could soon be using a brand-new ladder truck to save lives for the first time in the city’s history.

Munroe Falls currently relies on calling in a ladder truck from neighboring fire departments when needed. Fire Chief Lee Chafin said this approach has several problems for Munroe Falls residents and fire crews.

“There are houses and buildings in the city that we cannot get to with our existing vehicles due to their height and the shapes of the buildings,” Chafin said. “And many commercial vehicles are too large and do not fit on some of our city’s streets, nor will they set up in some of the parking lots.”

Chafin put proposals to the city council at its Aug. 2 meeting for the fire department’s capital expenditure plans for the year ahead.

The ladder truck is one part of the proposal, and council members were pleased with the idea.

“This is an opportunity to provide a service we have been lacking,” Chafin said. “This would be a vehicle that will fit on our roads and cul-de-sacs.”

Although the ladder truck is the most expensive option put forward to the city council in the fire department’s capital expenditure proposals, Chafin said it would have long-term cost savings from not having to pay other fire departments when ladder trucks are needed.

He added that the budget had already been approved in a previously passed levy and different financing options were available to spread the costs further.

“One option is not having to pay for the first 12 months. Our intention is not to finance any of it, but that is a discussion to have,” Chafin said.

“This is what our fire professionals are saying we need for the safety of our citizens,” City Council Member Chris Ritzinger said. “The ladder truck makes sense as we do not have that, and it eliminates the need to replace another aging vehicle.”

Council Member Ross Widenor agreed and said, “It is a big expense whatever option we go with, but we will get the extra capabilities.” 

“The ladder option makes a lot of sense,” Council Member Frank Larson added.

Chafin plans to bring detailed legislative proposals to authorize the new ladder truck purchase at the Aug. 16 meeting of the city council.