
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 16, 1993                   TAG: 9312160441
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VINTON GETS LADDER TRUCK REPLACEMENT

To the casual observer, the new ladder truck being delivered to the Vinton Fire Department next week is an early Christmas present. But to firefighters who have waited nearly three years, it is long overdue.

It was almost Christmas when Vinton's only ladder truck was taken out of service three years ago after a manufacturer warned of a defect that could cause the ladder to collapse when extended.

Since then, Vinton firefighters have relied on other localities when a ladder truck was needed.

"I think everybody is happy to be getting the truck," said Chief Barry Fuqua.

"We have already made arrangements for training personnel, and the new truck should be in full service by the first of January."

The $400,000 truck, owned jointly by Vinton and Roanoke County, will be delivered just before Christmas, said Town Manager Clay Goodman. The defective truck has been traded in for a $45,000 credit, he said.

Vinton tried several measures - including a lawsuit - to get its ladder truck problem resolved.

But, many of the manufacturers associated with production of the truck, including the company making the defective ladder, went out of business. While awaiting action on the suit, officials looked at several options, including the purchase of a $25,000 repair kit. That option, however, was tabled because there was no proof that the kits actually work.

The town's suit against the manufacturers was dismissed this fall because the ladder never actually failed in Vinton, even though the defect has occurred in other parts of the country.

by CNB