Peabody fire chief seeks new ladder truck, headquarters

PEABODY – In order to protect residents from the dangers of future fires in high-density developments, such as the Highlands at Dearborn Apartments, Peabody Fire Chief Steven Pasdon would need one thing: a large aerial platform. The one thing that’s stopping him is the equipment’s hefty price tag.The large ladder truck costs an estimated $1.1 million. In a letter addressed to the city council, he wrote, “Mayor (Michael) Bonfanti has verbally committed to the purchase of such a device; however, at this time, the funds have not been appropriated.”But, even if the funds were there, the department would face yet another bump in the road. The over-a-century-old firehouse physically couldn’t house the newer, larger truck.”The big issue is the doors,” said Pasdon. “We are very limited to what truck we can place in our fire headquarters.”His solution? Build a new central location, complete with National Fire Protection Association standards.”I’ve been talking about it for about five years,” said Pasdon, referring to the idea of combining both the police and fire departments under one large roof. “That would be the most cost effective way to go.”However, Pasdon notes that whether the city eventually purchases the ladder truck or not, there will be some buildings that are simply too high out of reach due to the topography of the area. For those taller, yet more accessible buildings, the ladder truck would prove to be extremely useful.”This is not a problem found only in Peabody,” he wrote. “This is why there are stricter standards and codes for taller buildings. During plan review, the fire department routinely asks for greater fire protection systems and construction than what is required by the state building code, but these requests are not enforceable.”Pasdon hopes that will all change if amendments are made to local ordinances that enable the department to exceed state requirements and state building codes.The movement comes after the improper disposal of cigarettes ignited a natural gas line and started the devastating Dearborn fire on May 29. The inferno made national headlines as it destroyed the 26-unit apartment building, leaving hundreds without a home and killing several house pets.A second fire occurred in July after lightning struck and destroyed a third floor home.