By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
The Elmhurst Fire Department under direction of Interim Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz officially unveiled its new tower ladder fire truck at a reception held on the morning of Monday, July 11.
Anaszewicz thanked elected officials in attendance as well as the Apparatus Committee for the hard work put into the design of the new apparatus.
“Your support of this purchase allows our department to continue to provide the best service possible to the residents of Elmhurst,” Anaszewicz said.
A long-standing fire service tradition, the ceremony included a “wet down,” when new apparatus is anointed with water by local clergy and then cleaned and slowly rolled backwards into the bay by firefighters. Father Andrew of Saint Demetrios Church in Elmhurst graciously took part in the blessing.
One very special guest turned out for the event. It was John Dramm, a 94-year-old retired firefighter, who was one of the last drivers of the City’s antique Seagrave Pumper truck. After the ceremony, firefighters took Dramm for a ride on the antique fire truck.
The City purchased the new ladder truck in June 2015 from Emergency One Incorporated where it then went through one year of building and testing before being ready for service. The truck is slightly more than 45 feet long and the ladder can extend up to 95 feet.
Upgraded features include a new pump configuration and controls, improved LED lighting, and a state-of-the-art basket design making it easier for firefighters to carry tools, conduct rescues, and access roofs. The new ladder truck cost approximately $960,000 and has a life expectancy of more than 20 years.
