Foley Fire Department is preparing to add a new ladder truck to its fleet as the city continues a series of investments aimed at strengthening fire protection and emergency response.

Fire Chief Joey Darby told Foley City Council members the truck, which was ordered in late 2023, is in the final stages of production at the Rosenbauer manufacturing facility in Minnesota. Delivery is expected this fall.

"Our ladder truck is in final production, so we're excited about that," Darby said. "We're on track for hopefully a completion date at the end of October, which means that we'll have to make a trip up to Minnesota, hopefully early November, and see that truck arrive."

Darby said large emergency vehicles such as ladder trucks can take as long as three years to complete and prepare.

The city recently approved an $84,137.92 purchase for additional equipment for the new truck. The equipment will allow the vehicle to operate as either a pumper or a ladder truck.

Foley also previously ordered hydraulic rescue tools for the vehicle at a cost of about $40,000. Darby said the combined cost of the tools and other equipment remains below the $150,000 the city budgeted for the material.

The truck will feature a 78-foot aerial ladder, along with a water tank and pump, a full load of fire hose and ground ladders. The combination of equipment will allow the unit to function as a custom pumper or an aerial ladder truck.

The estimated final cost of the vehicle is $1.4 million.

Once it arrives, the truck will be assigned to Fire Station No. 3, where it will be staffed by a crew of four firefighters at all times.

The city is also moving forward with plans for a fourth fire station on East Fern Avenue. Station No. 4 is currently in the design phase, with design work expected to be completed in March 2027.

Other fire protection projects are included in the city's current budget, which took effect Thursday, Oct. 1. The budget includes funding for renovations and improvements at Fire Station No. 1, including structural work intended to help the building better withstand high winds and storms.

The Station No. 1 project also will provide a new roof system and begin preparations for a new exterior.

Meanwhile, the Foley Fire Rescue Department is working during the current year to renovate and rebuild the fire training facility's burn tower, adding another project to the city's ongoing efforts to improve its fire protection infrastructure.