DALTON, Mass. —The Fire Department may once again have a ladder truck thanks to a donation from the Dalton Fireman's Association. 

 

During the Board of Water Commissioners meeting on Monday, the donation was presented to the board by interim Chief Chris Cachat. 

 

The department has been without a ladder truck for two years. It's had two ladder trucks since its establishment and both were obtained from other departments. 

 

"We brought them to town, we made them our own, and a lot of people put a lot of hard work into it, and it became part of us … It really took the hit of morale when we didn't have our ladder truck anymore, and it kind of lingered for a year or so," Cachat said. 

 

"We understand the financial responsibilities we have towards the district and the taxpayers of Dalton. We had a meeting with our Dalton Firemen's Association, and we discussed possibilities of what we could possibly do to help out the district, the town of Dalton, and the Fire Department." 

 

The association decided to donate the funds generated by its fundraising efforts, including the carnival, and use it to purchase a ladder truck, he said.  

 

"We would be very proud to accept that truck. We know how much the association means to the Dalton Fire Department and the citizens of Dalton. You guys have always stepped up," board Chair James Driscoll said.

 

"You've always helped us out. You've always helped us close shortfalls that we couldn't close. We couldn't operate without you guys. We appreciate it immensely."

 

The purchase of the ladder truck will be at no cost to taxpayers, Cachat said. 

 

"We're here for the community as much as the district, the Water Department, Fire Department. We're all here for the community, and we understand our responsibilities, and we just want to do our part, and this is our contribution," he said.  

 

The truck was originally in Texas but is currently in Portland, Pa., a 3 1/2-hour drive. 

 

The department is anticipating a call to pick it up any day now. They hope to have it by next week, at the earliest, and have it in service by May, Cachat said. 

 

It is a 1997 with low mileage and hours of use, so the department should get a good seven to 10 years out of it, Cachat said. 

 

"This was a once in a lifetime find," Cachat said, adding that department staff meticulously looked over the apparatus.

 

"We're all truck guys. We were all underneath that thing and looking at it, and it was rust free," he said.

 

"The other thing was the aerial had received some damage in 2024 and their insurance company put $50,000 into the aerial … and basically refurbished the entire aerial. So, the aerial is basically brand new." 

 

The district will also consider creating an apparatus stabilization fund to proactively address future repairs or replacements of its vehicles, including its ambulance. 

 

The department has made attempts to purchase a ladder truck in the past but those efforts fell through. 

 

The most recent effort resulted in the district taking legal action against Northern Fire Equipment when it failed to deliver the purchased apparatus several years prior. 

 

The ladder truck was ordered in late 2022, but its delivery date had been changed at least four times. Northern Fire Equipment has said staffing shortages, change orders, and unexpected mechanical malfunctions had contributed to the delay.