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But while the city on the south end of Pierce County is growing up, its firefighters have largely been grounded.
The trouble is that DuPont has also grown up – meaning, more tall buildings – and the fire department historically had no way to fight fires above the second floor. It could extend its reach only by requesting and waiting for help to arrive from a neighboring agency.
The department’s recent purchase of a used ladder truck represents another step in its ascendancy. The vehicle began limited service last month.
Fire Chief Greg Hull recognized the department was “coming to the dance a little bit late” in acquiring a ladder truck when he arrived from Lakewood two years ago.
“Now with 11 buildings over two stories tall, it becomes a real concern for me as the fire chief,” he said.
DuPont has struggled with growing pains as it’s gone from a small village to a good-sized city with the gradual development of the 3,000-acre Northwest Landing planned community. It has emerged as an affordable place to live for military families.
To meet increasing demands, the fire department switched from an all-volunteer to an all-paid force with 12 firefighters.
Prior to the ladder-truck purchase, the department would have to call the Lakewood Fire District to help with tall-building responses in DuPont.
Then West Pierce Fire & Rescue, the result of the recent merger of the Lakewood and University Place fire departments, sold the ladder truck to DuPont for $20,000.
The price is a steal compared with the $951,000 bid Hull received for a brand-new truck. But the 20-year-old vehicle has shortcomings apart from how to get it fully staffed.
“At least it’s a start,” the fire chief said.
Its ladder extends 65 feet, shorter than what’s found on modern trucks. DuPont’s three four-story buildings, including Intel and State Farm, remain out of reach, so the department will continue to request assistance from West Pierce at times.
Three more four-story buildings are under construction.
DuPont has eight three-story buildings, and four more are under construction.
The department would need to hire between four and six more firefighters to dispatch the ladder truck on every known or suspected fire or other hazard, such as a gas leak. Hull has a four-year plan to make those hires.
Firefighters receive fire and hazard calls between 10 and 15 times a month, on average, he said. The ladder truck has dispatched twice since it went into service Sept. 1. On Monday, it was sent to a house fire in the Town of Steilacoom.
“It’s one of those things that you don’t need it until you need it, and then it’s a life-saver,” Hull said.
West Pierce had owned four ladder trucks following the merger but needed three: two in-service trucks and a reserve vehicle, Chief Ken Sharp said. The district accepted bids for the ladder truck, and DuPont beat out the only other bidder. It was one of several vehicles West Pierce sold as surplus.
Sharp he was happy his district could help DuPont.
“It’s an old vehicle, but it’s a great starter vehicle for what they need,” he said.
Christian Hill: 253-274-7390
christian.hill@thenewstribune.com
Twitter: @TNTchill
