The Athens-Clarke County Fire Department announced on Mar. 18 the addition of Ladder 1, a Rosenbauer T-Rex 115-foot articulating aerial platform, to its emergency response fleet.
The new apparatus is expected to improve fire protection and rescue capabilities in Athens-Clarke County by providing advanced access to difficult locations and supporting firefighter safety. The department said fire crews completed three weeks of specialized training before officially placing Ladder 1 in service during a push-in ceremony on Feb. 20 at Station 1 on College Avenue.
The Rosenbauer T-Rex features telescoping and articulating booms that allow firefighters to reach over parapets, roofs, and building setbacks, which is especially useful in downtown Athens. The unit offers a vertical reach of up to 115 feet and a horizontal side reach of up to 93 feet. It also includes an aerial platform rated for up to 1,400 pounds, integrated safety systems monitoring load and wind conditions, and functions as a quintuple combination pumper with a pump rated at up to 2,000 gallons per minute.
“This is a major step forward for fire protection in Athens-Clarke County,” said Chief Nate Moss. “The T-Rex gives our personnel safer, quicker access to the most difficult locations while increasing our firefighting capability at the same time. It represents our continued commitment to firefighter safety and community protection.”
Ladder 1 will be used for structure fires, technical rescues, and large-scale incidents throughout the county. Residents can view the new apparatus at upcoming community events or through videos available on the Fire Department’s website and social media channels.
The City of Athens operates as a consolidated city-county government providing unified public services across Athens and Clarke County in Georgia according to the official website. The city manages facilities such as parks and restored historic sites like the Morton Theatre according to the official website, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1910 according to the official website.
