The Carthage Fire Department welcomed a new 2026 E-ONE Typhoon 75-foot aerial ladder truck on Wednesday, November 4, marking an important investment in the department's equipment and emergency response capabilities.
The truck arrived in Carthage just in time for a scheduled fire drill at Mark Twain Elementary School at 1:30 p.m., giving second- and third-grade students the opportunity to be among the first in the community to see the department's newest apparatus.
The new truck replaces a 1998 Freightliner commercial cab fire truck manufactured by Central States Apparatus, which has served the department for 28 years.
The previous ladder truck was originally scheduled for replacement in 2018 as part of the City's capital equipment replacement plan, which generally targets a 20-year lifespan for heavy fire apparatus. However, rising manufacturing costs, extended production wait times and additional delays during the pandemic pushed the replacement timeline back.
The need for a new ladder truck was discussed in March 2025, when Fire Chief Jason Martin noted that the existing apparatus was 27 years old.
The City was able to include the replacement in its current budget by purchasing a truck that was already in production. This allowed the department to customize many of its features during the manufacturing process to better accommodate its operational needs.
While the new apparatus provides essentially the same aerial service capacity as its predecessor, it offers improvements in reliability, maintenance and maneuverability. One of the most significant upgrades is its single rear axle design, which provides a tighter turning radius and allows for easier navigation through city streets and confined spaces.
The new truck also increases personnel capacity, accommodating up to six firefighters compared to the four-person seating capacity of the previous apparatus.
New Ladder Truck Specifications
Manufacturer: E-ONE
Model: 2026 Typhoon
Aerial ladder: 75-foot class
Vertical reach: 75 feet
Horizontal reach: 67.8 feet
Maximum safe horizontal load: 500 pounds
Overall length: 37 feet, 1 inch
Overall height: 11 feet, 4 inches
Personnel seating: Up to six
The department is currently acquiring the additional equipment necessary to fully outfit the new apparatus. The truck will be placed into service once all required equipment has been received and installed.
Residents will have additional opportunities to see the newest addition to the Carthage Fire Department fleet during the Veterans Day Parade on November 14 and the Christmas Parade on December 7.
The arrival of the new ladder truck marks the next chapter for the Carthage Fire Department as it continues investing in dependable equipment and the resources needed to protect the community for years to come.
