The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department is now closer to getting a new ladder truck following action by city council Tuesday night.

Council declared its 1999 KME ladder truck as surplus property and agreed to sell it to Brendlee Mountain Fire Apparatus in Alabama for $120,000.

According to a memo contained in the city council agenda package, the deal with Brendlee Mountain must be signed by August 31 with delivery no later than March 13.

A public notice advertising a 10-day upset bid period is also required.

This now allows the city to move forward with a new, 75-foot Emergency One ladder truck to replace the ailing KME, which had problems almost from the start.

The city budgeted $480,000 for loans and $120,000 from the proceeds of the sale of the old truck.

“We’re just happy to get what we can get,” fire Chief Gary Corbet said in a recent interview.

The new truck will have a 1,500 gallons per minute pump with 500 gallons onboard. “It’s nothing really special or custom. As soon as all the financing (is completed) we will get a production slot. We’re very excited. The guys have waited a long time.”

Corbet said the new truck will save on fuel costs. “We will no longer have to run the engine and ladder. Since it’s smaller and lighter we will see better fuel mileage.”

Because the truck is smaller than the current one, it will have a smaller turning radius. “We will be able to get into tight spots.”

A ladder truck is a necessity in Roanoke Rapids, Corbet said. “One thing is ISO ratings. They grade fire departments and then grade fire insurance for residential. We have buildings on the avenue, several hotels that are more than two stories and a lot of places in the mill village which are closer together.”