Ladder 1 (2000s)

Ladder 1 – 1974 American LaFrance Ladder Truck

Ladder 1 was a 1974 American LaFrance ladder truck acquired by the department from the Westminster Fire Department in the early 2000s to maintain ladder service following the return of the previous ladder truck to the Ocean City Fire Company. The acquisition ensured continued aerial capability during a transitional period for the department.

Built during an era when American LaFrance ladder trucks were known for their rugged construction and reliability, Ladder 1 served as the department’s primary ladder apparatus until the department transitioned to a modern aerial platform. Like many American LaFrance vehicles of the period, the truck was well known for its distinctive engine sound, often remembered for its characteristic “exhale roar.”

Ladder 1 remained in service until 2004, when it was replaced by Tower 1, a 100-foot Pierce Dash rear-mounted platform truck equipped with a 2,000 GPM pump, marking a significant advancement in the department’s aerial firefighting and rescue capabilities.

The 1974 American LaFrance Ladder 1 represents the department’s final traditional ladder truck and serves as a bridge between classic American LaFrance apparatus and modern aerial platform technology.

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