All,

I apologize for not getting this out sooner but over the course of the last week I have been fighting a pretty strong cold. So on to the good news. This will be Tower-9's Final and Progress Report until we take delivery sometime late this month or early next month. Members from the committee and department departed to complete the Final Inspection on the New Tower-9. Now essentially this is were we get our hands on everything, double and triple check what our options and items on our very long checklist are, the operation and testing of the truck or apparatus, and finally running over all the paint for the apparatus: Top to bottom, left to right, inside and out. The truck had a few issues nothing too out of the norm, but I can say this much it drove like a dream. Issues we have had with the previous Tower like a long overhang in the rear are gone. It's turn radius is in the 40' range which is a large improvement over the current truck. We did get a chance to flow water in which we were able to reach the 1000 GPM rating and exceed that up to 1250 GPM and unlike the current Tower, the capacity rating with or without water stays the same at 1000lbs above 0 degrees.

Unfortunately issues with the lift cylinders caused had to be fixed prior to coming down but we anticipate that to be done within the next week or so. Overall the trip was a success and any down time due to the cylinders allowed for extra time to look at every item on the apparatus. The difficulty with the cylinders is not unusual according to Pierce in which this is at least the 15th Remount of an Aerialscope. As they are very similar to aircraft in which Block's or variations in models are not unfamiliar to Mack/Baker who then owned Aerialscope so that in a certain Block may have these options, the next Block or upgraded set will have some additional options or have some removed for instance ours was the first to come in without a catwalk or walkway around the platform bucket. These are just details that have to be worked through and I am confident that Pierce will get them ironed out. So enjoy the pictures and see you in a few weeks for the delivery.

I would like to thank the following for their support and efforts in making the project or replacement easier and the success it is:

Committee:

Assistant Chief Mark Warren
Deputy Chief Steve Vallandingham
FF Matt Duncan
FF Porsha Thomas
FF Mike Ryan
1st Eng. Steve Wurtz

Additionally:

Fire Chief J. Gould
Past Chief R. Wahrenbrock
President W. Johnson and the Board
Company 9
Capt. D. Burroughs
FF/Eng K. Bussler
Harrisburg FD, Tower-1 Crew (HFD's help was invaluable and we are grateful for their help)
Command Fire Apparatus
Tom Shand and Mike Wilbur (You advice and input is always welcomed and appreciated)