This from Randy Buttliere:
Just delivered to Hoffman Estates this morning. SO #337742020 Velocity, 600 hp Cummins, 100′ mid-mount Ascendant tower ladder, no pump, no tankStock truck, fast delivery.Black roof wrapped
Randy Buttliere photo
New tower ladder for Hoffman Estates FD
#1 by Cmk420 on March 1, 2021 - 4:49 PM
I am not very impressed with this tower ladder. Like others on this page, I think is was a hasty purchase. While I understand that Hoffman did not want to rely on neighboring towns for mutual aid, which I commend, I think a little more time could have been taken on this. No pump??
Here’s the thing–If Evanston was able to recently purchase a used straight stick ladder truck, that still looked to be in pretty good condition, (Lisle Woodridge, if I remember correctly) for use as a reserve truck, why couldn’t Hoffman Estates? I do find it very hard to believe that they could not find a suitable rig, and did it have to necessarily be another tower ladder? When they got the first Pierce Tower back in 1999, they had the old straight stick as a reserve. If this is, technically, is only temporary until the Ferrara comes back, my thought is they could have gotten away with a straight stick. Schaumburg & other neighboring towns have tower ladders, if needed, for the “greater alarm,” if needed.
#2 by Ron Antor on February 27, 2021 - 7:17 PM
Truck 22, Dash 100’ tower and Engines 22 and 24 Quantum’s were all purchased at the same time in 1999.
#3 by Michael m on February 27, 2021 - 1:13 PM
Nice looking truck! I hope it serves them well. Too bad about the Ferrara. I guess any manufacturer could have issues. My guess is the Ferrara will become reserve when it comes back. I am impressed they got at least 20 years out of the previous Pierce. I believe the old tower 22 is either a 99 or a 00 Pierce. I believe they purchased the Quantum engines around the same time 1999-2000.
I wonder how well Engine 21 and 23 are holding up.
#4 by Jeremy B. on February 27, 2021 - 9:50 AM
The Ferrara Tower is supposed to go down to Louisiana for 3-6 months of warranty service soon. The reserve Pierce tower failed ladder inspection and was made surplus. They didn’t want to be reliant on mutual aid during the service period, claimed they couldn’t find a suitable used tower to purchase, but conveniently this Pierce stock unit was exactly what they wanted. I’m not sure what their plans are for when the Ferrara comes back though.
#5 by Mike C on February 27, 2021 - 7:23 AM
What are Hoffman’s plans with the Ferrara tower? I don’t think the Ferrara has treated them very well. I’m not sure that warrants an emergency purchase but I’m not to familiar with Hoffman’s day to day operations and the current condition of the Ferrara.
I’m surprised they bought a truck without a pump but I agree with the decision.
I like the idea of the black roof being wrapped. I have told multiple police departments they should consider wrapping their vehicles instead of painting them. At the end of the vehicles life with the agency, remove the wrap and you’ll have some very shiny doors.
Nice looking truck but I hope it doesn’t disintegrate on them. LOL
#6 by Mike on February 27, 2021 - 6:50 AM
It seems like in a world of bad decisions the village is trying to be number 1. First selling both squads because it wasn’t needed, only to buy 1 again. The Ferrara tower isn’t that old and if they’re having issues with it what are they? Is it a maintenance issue or a builder issue? They had problems with pierce and stopped buying them, now they buy this as an emergency purchase.
#7 by FFPMTom on February 26, 2021 - 7:35 PM
Can’t say I like it. It looks good and all, just can’t believe they are buying another tower so soon and even in more disbelief they went back with Pierce. Hope it serves them well though and that they don’t have any problems with it