" With all of the fine machine and repair specialists in our area, I find it hard to believe that this safety mechanism cannot be totally rebuilt right here in Bradford County and for much less than a half million dollars.
I sometimes wonder if we all get too used to standing with our hands extended looking for hard working tax payer donations and government grants. "

" Well you got what you paid for. Junk. $69k for a used ladder truck, you are lucky it hasn't killed a fire fighter in the 10years you have had it.

Wake up Towanda! Get a truck that will do the job and not put your firemen at risk. A town your size should have a ladder truck that doesn't need crutches and luck to get to an emergency.

The saving in your fire insurance would pay for the cost of a new ladder truck over its operational life. What kind of business men are in your town that they don't help get the funding for a truck like this. It seems you are stuck in the 60's. "

" HighPlainsDrifter--Sounds like you might be in the "fine machine and repair" business. Do you think you could fabricate a part for a truck that has literally done it's job and then some....and trust FF's lives in the process of saving the community? Do you not think that FF's are not also "hard working tax payers"? Towanda FD is a VOLUNTEER organization, meaning they don't get paid and they all have homes, jobs and families as well. "

" HPD, sure the truck could be fixed for less than a half million dollars, but it's nearly imposible to predict future problems in a 29 year old vehicle. Who knows what, when, or where the next part will break. These trucks save lives and property. $500,000 is nothing compared to the cost of a lawsuit if the truck fails during an emergency. "

" I find it hard to envision that this truck cannot be refitted with a new ladder at fraction of the price. You have to stop spending money that not available. "

" Why repair anything when you can get the tax payer to buy a new or newer one! That is just the way it is. Plenty of families are going without in this area so government and schools can have. Not very fair to those of us who work for a living. Time for all government agencies to tighten their belts just like we are forced to do. "

" FFandJoePublic
Nice spin job, but someone has or will step forward to offer their services concerning the limping ladder truck. Don't give me that old FF's and all of that. As you said they do it freely. But yet you and they are the one's standing in the road and slowing the traffic ( talk about safety ) begging for money. I know quite a few FFers who don't work hard. "

" You'll all look good at the hometown parade, now that right there is important by golly. I say let those who are going to drive it, pay for it. "

" Bob H, yes it is hard to believe, because it can't. The truck has been out of service for months now because of a small "simple" part that can neither be found nor fabricated due to it's age. So no, this truck cannot be fitted with a new ladder at a fraction of the cost.
Robin, the "government agency" that you're suggesting should tighten it's belt is a VOLUNTEER organization. They get zero personal benifit for any department operation. They too are working taxpayers, just as I assume you are, and will be equally effected by any tax increase. The reason they are asking for a new truck is because they know that the boro of Towanda, along with the neighboring boros and villages, need a reliable ladder truck in order to save lives and protect property... YOUR life and YOUR property.
Those of you who are protesting this without any knowledge of the fire department need to do some research before you blindly oppose needed services. "

" I find it hard to believe that they want to spend $500,000 on a used truck not sure what kind they want to buy but if it is looked into Dushore Fire Co. bought a new one a couple of years ago for a little less than that. "

" I know to some I am annoying. But this time all I can muster up is ....Damn if you do AND Damn if you don't...Catch 22 and all that other good stuff. "

" You people need to wake up, That truck is 1979 Mack. Mack hasn't made fire trucks in 15 years. No one in their right mind would even attempt to put another ladder on that truck. That rig is also in its third station as it was owned by two previous fire companies. For the person saying goverment has to tighten its belt. How would you feel when the firefighters arrived to fight your house fire with equipment that doesn't function. These guys are volunteers and should have all your support. "

" HPD maybe you should learn to read, it wasn't $500,000.00 to repair the ladder it self, that is about what a good USED ladder runs these days. And as for the part thats in question, the departmment did try to have the part made locally, but couldn't as no one wanted to assume liability if the part fail.

Local, the Dushore ladder is a smaller ladder (75ft) vs Towanda's (100ft).

The 1979 ladder replaced a 1963 ladder and just to let you in on a little secret folks, the life expectancy of an aerial ladder is about 30 years. And if it's used heavyly as they are in a busy department it's much less.

And maybe if you "Monday morning quarter backs" wanted to see just what is envoled then join up, and be ready to give up 180 hr of you life for basic fire training, and all of the other things involed to serve the public for free labor.

Yes the ladder dose provide aerial assistance to other fire department in the county and or where ever it's needed. That is how we repay the other fire departments who come to assist us when we need the extra help.

Oh and function of aerial ladders are more than the big ladder, they also carry the much needed ground ladders, ventation fans and much more.

Back in 1984 Towanda had a major fire with the loss of 4 lives due to the lack of not having enough extention ground ladders on the first unit at the fire.
And yes I'm a Towanda firefighter, and have been for more than 30 yrs and proud of it, as are the other members of the department.

So if anyone thinks they can do this business any better and for less, come and join up and put up or......... "

" Wish you the best of luck on getting a new truck. I think the whole community should help and pull through to help out in a time of need.Neighboring communitys could also help you guys out as well. Come on folks we need fire departments without them things might be worse. "

" Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the desire to be a FF. Nor, would I want to give up my personal time and be dedicated enough to be one. I'm thankful for the men and women that protect our homes in the Towanda community. I'm glad they are there. With that said, I think we need to stay on topic with this thread. The story nor was HPD's comments or anyone's comments bashing the local FF. Thanks. "

" As you folks read through these opinions from our citizens, you will note the careful design of how charity has turned into expectation of people giving upon the say so of a title or cause. In this case that title is firefighter, a noble cause indeed but when it comes to actually running a firehouse and opening their books to the public we see discretion. Maybe if the Towanda fire company would show ( make public ) their expenses for the past 20 years it would help others to give.
After all, asking for money is only one part of fiscal responsibility. "

" My guy is a Volunteer firefighter, and we have kids...all of you that think its so easy its not i worry every time the pagers go off...wondering if daddy is coming home...he is very active with the fire company...just think if it were to be one of yours on the scene of a fully involved structure fire...how would you feel?? You should all listen to what (A FIREFIGHTER) says, from what I hear from the fire department VOLUNTEERS what he says is all true..They NEED a new truck but cant pay for it when they are not paid for their services...they dont complain about saving lives, so why complain about buying things that are well needed. "

" I would like to let you all know that the Fire Department is funded and controled by the borough council, the control the money not the fire company. "

" As per what the firefighter's lady wrote, every time the pagers go off for a structure fire I worry until I know not only that MY HUSBAND is back safely.....but that they ALL are back safely. And it;s not just structure fires that we worry about. EVERY TIME they respond to the pagers going off these people are putting their lives and their safety on the line for all of you out there when you need them, and I ask you.....would you want your husband trying to climb that ladder truck? I don't think so. And all these VOLUNTEER firefighters have to go to many hours of training along with scheduled work parties and other things that take a lot of time away from family time. But they do VOLUNTEER every time that pager goes off so I think people need to stop and think about whether your homes, lives, etc. are worth the cost of a ladder truck that is greatly needed in Towanda. "

" Accountant, the books are open to those who choose to look. For that matter, the department's doors are always open too (figuratively speaking), so any member of the public is more than welcome to come in and see what they do.
Once again you highlight the main problem with the opposition is this issue. Nobody seems to want to educate themselves before they cry and whine about one of the most important pieces of fire equipment in the central Bradford County area. "

" Can we stick with the program people?? The intent of the story nor the thread was NOT to attack the FFs nor their safety. Geesh. Let's back off the holier than tho statements and stick to the fiscal issues. Yes. Let's get a new truck. It has NOTHING to do with the dedication of FFs. "

" WOW! Another emotion filled plea for help. If you need a new truck, GET ONE. Let future generations pay for it. People get so personal when it comes to dealing with dollars. "

" Is it time to consolidate fire companies and pool the resources? This might help greatly with many issues, firehouses, fire trucks and even training. "

" Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm all for trimming the fat from the government budget, but the problem at hand is not one directly involving 6-figure political leaders lining their own pockets. This is a local issue with a tangible potential benefit. This is the type of thing taxes were designed for in the first place -- the safety and general welfare of the community. When we gripe about this, we're barking up the wrong tree. Our quarrel with taxation belongs in the faces of our professional politicians in Washington& Harrisburg, not with our fellow citizens who are trying to protect us!
I say bring it on, and don't hold back. Buy the new one so we're not inheriting others' problems, then sell it in 20 years if we have to like someone did to us. I'm not rich -- I'm living paycheck to paycheck like everyone else I know -- but if I'm gonna be soaked for taxes, let it be for this, not some new pie-in-the-sky program or a Harrisburg/D.C. raise! "

" The people of Towanda should be happy that you have a volunteer fire dept and aren't reliant on a paid system. 6 more employees working 24 hours a day would be a nice little tax increase ( roughly twice the amount of the ladder truck). Let the fire dept buy a new truck and it should't have a problem seeing 20+ years of service to the boro. "

" Please post this. It needs to be said. This is how comments like these make me feel. Nothing angers me off more than to hear people say a ladder truck is a waste of money. First, we firefighters pay the same taxes you do. Second.. What makes our lives less important than yours? If it's not worth the money. Then you are literally saying our lives are not important. You don't care if we die, that's what you mean, isn't it? Our safety isn't worth the money. I want you to tell my son, to his face, that you don't care if I die.. Because you failed to have your chimney cleaned, and I fall off your roof at 3am in an icy rain. If you want to tell my son that you don't care that I, or any other firefighting can die, because our lives aren't worth the money. Just say so, and I'll post my email, and we'll have a big community gathering.. So, you all can tell our families that we're not worth the money to protect. "

" The Dushore Ladder... for $450,000.. Actually, more like $550,000.00 After equipment, and interest. Now.. It's almost paid off, and it's only four years old. We're a smaller community, less citizens, less taxes. Which, BTW, we pay too. We're not exempt from paying taxes, I pay the fire tax also. So, go peddle your papers somewhere else. Anyhoo. A 75' American LaFrance.. You don't have to lay hose up our ladder.. It's already equipped. It's not just a ladder transporter, it carries water.. and a pump. It's a rescue unit, and a water tower. I have seen Towanda's Ladder in operation. It's a death trap. It sways, it bends. It will kill someone. Fire trucks can last 20 years. Ladder trucks should never be refurbished beyond 20 years, unless for a museum. Towanda's ladder is past it's prime. Spend the money, save their lives, the firemen.. Not the public. OUR SAFETY COMES BEFORE THEIR SAFETY. "