City of Bartlesville firefighters are training this week on the use of the fire department’s newly purchased tower-ladder truck, approved by voters in the 2020 General Obligation Bond Election.
The truck will allow access to many of the city’s taller buildings and is a step forward in improving the department’s ISO rating — a score issued by the state’s Insurance Services Office based on how prepared the department is to protect the community from fires.
The score can mean lower insurance premiums for Bartlesville residents, Fire Chief David Topping said. The City currently holds an ISO rating of 2/2y, “which puts us in the top one percent in the state,” Topping said.
“The addition of this equipment to our arsenal will move us closer to a rating of 1, which is the highest score possible,” he said. “With a reach of 101 feet, this vehicle will give us more options and greater capabilities than we currently have in regards to high-rise operations,” he said.
The truck was purchased from low bidder Daco Fire Equipment for $1.3 million. Due to inflation and wiring supply costs, the vehicle is over budget by $246,687. The remaining funds will be taken from unallocated Half-cent Capital Improvement Project Sales Tax funds.