On Saturday morning April 3, the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company placed in service their first aerial ladder truck. The growth of the community and the distance for existing aerial apparatus to respond into the area prompted the MAVFC to pursue obtaining an aerial ladder truck several years ago. It has taken approximately 3 years from the time it was decided to purchase a ladder truck until the culmination of the effort. President Dan Caiola, Chief Kenny Stull and Truck Committee Chairman Ivan Browning brought the company members together to officially place the unit in service with words of appreciation and inspiration.

The new ladder truck will be known as "Truck 1". It is a 2020 E-One Cyclone II chassis with a 6 person cab and a 100' aerial ladder. The truck is powered by a 565 horsepower engine. Truck 1 carries 246' of ground ladders, a 10kw generator, and assorted forcible entry tools and equipment to support firefighting and rescue activities. That equipment includes self contained breathing apparatus, ventilation fans, thermal imagers, gas detectors, hooks, pry bars, power saws of various types, portable and fixed lighting equipment and rope rescue equipment. The cost of this unit is over $1.1 million dollars.

The MAVFC has been raising money to purchase this unit for several years. We wish to thank all the people that have supported our fundraising efforts with their generous contributions and ask that their support continues as we continue to raise funds to pay off this service addition. We also wish to thank the Town of Mount Airy for their major contribution toward the truck purchase.