City, Neighborhood Celebrates New Ladder Truck

A beautiful day made for a big crowd at the Eastport Fire Station Saturday as residents and community leaders gathered around to dedicate, celebrate and bless the city's "new" ladder truck.

Attending the celebration was City of Annapolis Fire Chief David Stokes, Mayor Josh Cohen, Alderman Ross Arnett, (D- Ward 8), Eastport Civic Association President Vic Pascoe and President of the Eastport Volunteer Fire Department, Betty Lou Pilkerton. County Executive John Leopold also came by.

The ladder truck is new to Annapolis, but it isn't actually new. The 2001 American LaFrance originally belonged to a fire department in Dover, DE. The truck was purchased recently through a partnership between the city of Annapolis and the Easport Volunteer Fire Company.

Cohen, who spoke to the crowd before the dedication, said that the story behind this truck and how it came to Annapolis shows that the fire department and firefighters are finding a way to continue to provide outstanding services despite the tough fiscal times the city is facing.

"Just the story of how the city got this beautiful new ladder truck is a great story but is a testament to how resourceful our fire department is and how fortunate all of us as taxpayers are to have people like Chief Stokes and the members of the fire department for working for us," said Cohen.

Fire Chief David Stokes shared with the crowd the story of how Truck 36 came to the capital city and he thanked the volunteers of Eastport for their partnership with the city of Annapolis.

According to Stokes, the truck was purchased through funds provided by the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company, the state of Maryland, the city of Annapolis and  the Easport Civic Association. Stokes said the truck this one replaced was 24-years-old.

"A new one, a brand new one cost about a million dollars. That's about 220 thousand they paid for this truck so it's actually a great bargain and it's gonna serve us for several years, so it's a nice addition," Stokes said.

The truck was blessed by the Rev. MaAn Barcelo, Annapolis fire department chaplain and pastor of the Eastport United Methodist Church.

Following the dedication, children attending the event all gathered around and joined forces to push the truck into it's spot in the station.

The event was a family affair. Hot dogs and popcorn were served. Children were given fire hats, taught fire safety tips and had a chance to play on the moon-bounce.

Children were also given the chance to watch a special canine demonstration given by The Annapolis Police Department.