Jackson Fire Department gets new ladder truck

Jackson firefighter Nick Teichman takes a spin on the ladder of the city's new aerial apparatus during training Friday. The aluminum ladder has a 75-foot reach. The pump is rated at 1,500 gallons per minute with a 500-gallon water tank. The city of Jackson received a FEMA grant of $630,000 for the truck, with the city's portion being $31,500. The department's next-newest apparatus is 13 years old and the average fleet age is 24, according to fire chief Jason Mouser. Its last new ladder truck was bought in 1981. The public is invited to an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 to celebrate 100 years since the department was organized. The new ladder truck will be dedicated at 2 p.m.