The possibility that brake failure led to the accident that killed a Boston firefighter Friday has some local firefighters questioning the safety of their vehicles.
Ladder 26 in Boston drove out of control down Parker Hill Avenue in Mission Hill, slamming into a building. Lt. Kevin Kelley, who was in the front passenger seat, died.
Tom Lopez, president of the Newton Firefighters Association, said the Newton Fire Department has two old ladder trucks that need replacing.
Lopez said Newton Fire Ladder 3 was new in 1985 and is scheduled to be replaced and used as a spare vehicle. Newton Ladder 4, made between 1986 and 1987, is not in regular service.
PDF: How old are Waltham and Newton trucks?
According to Lopez, both vehicles are rear-mounted, 110-foot aerial ladder trucks, similar to the make and model as the 1995 Ladder 26 truck that crashed in Boston.
"A single-axle, rear-wheel is not enough braking power," Lopez said. "Not to say that had anything to do with Boston ... but when you take multiple runs, those brakes heat up. That's not only a concern for firefighters, but a concern for the general public because we share the roads."
Lopez said he would like to see standards set by the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy be mandated for his department.
"I would like to see something either through city ordinance or even state legislation, not only in Newton, but for everyone to follow NFPA standards. It's often seen as a standard and is not a law," he said. "I want them to follow NFPA standard 1901, which requires apparatus be replaced (in a specified amount of years depending on its make). Right now we have two trucks that are over 20 years old and that's not right. ... This department has had a history of not replacing apparatus in a timely manner."
"We have certified mechanics on staff that are trained in all aspects of fire engine and ladder truck apparatus," he said. "They are familiar with everything from pumper trucks, to hydraulics, to transmissions, to brakes, for all mechanisms within each fire truck."
Solomon said that within the past five years, the city has purchased two new engines, refurbished a third engine and purchased a new ladder truck. He said another new ladder truck is scheduled to be delivered in March.
"We have bought a truck every year for the last three years," he said. "There are concerns, but we're trying to address them, and the mayor is trying to address them."
Cardillo said the city's Maintenance Department oversees some inspections, which include checking to make sure brakes work properly.
"We try to continue to do our maintenance every year so the vehicles don't get too far behind. I've spoken to the mayor a lot of times about not having a ladder truck that's over 25 years old and not having a pumper truck over 15 years," Cardillo said. "This is my opinion. No front-line apparatus should be used over 15 years of age and no spare piece of apparatus should be older than 20 years."
The oldest vehicles in the Waltham fleet include spare trucks Ladder 3 which is 27 years old, Engine 9, which is 26 years old, and Engine 10, which is 21 years old.
Waltham Firefighter Mike Murphy said spare trucks are used frequently, especially when other vehicles are undergoing maintenance.
