BEND, OR-- Bend Fire and Rescue celebrates its new ladder truck Tuesday with a traditional fire service ceremony. The 107' truck will respond to calls in and around Bend, and Chief Todd Riley says it replaces a previous truck that was in service for more than 19 years, "Our response equipment - it doesn’t last forever. To get 20 years out of a ladder truck, that is the end of its life and that’s industry standard. And, it’s time for us to replace it." He adds, "The reach is the same; we can still reach every building in Bend. We have 107’ vertical capability." But, he says, "It’s a new engine, new chassis and the safety features that come along with it are really important. But, it does have a ton more equipment on it and gives us a lot more capabilities."

Bend Fire and Rescue puts a new apparatus into operation this week. Chief Riley says, "The types of things that firefighters on a ladder truck do on a fire are essential for, not only putting fires out, but for keeping firefighters and civilians safe. So, they actually do serve a different and unique function on fires." 

The public is invited to take part in Tuesday's celebration. Chief Riley says there will be, "A ceremonial wash-down, which is symbolic of rinsing off the horses from way back in the day, after a fire. And then, we’re actually going to do a push-in, with the community members pushing this ladder truck into the fire station." That event starts at 2 p.m. at the North Station on Northeast Jamison.