Ladder truck passes test

The aerial ladder on the 1979 Maxim Fire truck for the Colfax Fire Department underwent a series of tests Thursday in the rain and passed, according to Assistant Chief Tim Tingley. The truck had been scheduled for the Underwriter Laboratories test.

The aerial ladder extends for 100 feet on the mounts on the truck.

UL ultrasound equipment was used to test the thickness of the ladder sections which gradually lose thickness because of rust. The last section of the ladder is now right at the minimum width allowed for certification.

The last section of the ladder is made up of the lightest gauge material because of the way the sections of the ladder are designed to fit together.

Tingley said some work will also be required on the mechanical segment of the ladder.

The department has been searching for several months to locate a used ladder truck to replace the 40-year-old Maxim.

Tests on other ladders on the truck were scheduled to be conducted Friday.