The Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services Department will celebrate the arrival of their new Ladder 1 with a traditional “push-in” ceremony to place the equipment into service at Fire Station #1 at 700 College Avenue on Friday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m. It will replace the current 23-year old ladder, which is a 102-foot platform model purchased with SPLOST funds that will be renumbered to Ladder 10 and will move into reserve status for the community. The current reserve ladder is a 1989 model that will be retired.

The new 2019 E-One CR-137 Ladder cost approximately $1.05 million fully equipped. it features an aerial waterway that reaches 107 feet and a top extension of 137 feet, making it the tallest ladder in the department. This additional reach was specified to allow for greater side reach and to serve the unique territory of the downtown area's large multi-use housing complexes and other tall buildings.

Some of its features include a modern thermal imaging for search and rescue, LED lighting for the aerial steps, a wide view camera at the tip that can be monitored at the operator's pedestal and from inside the cab, operating controls and nozzle controls at both the tip of the ladder and at the pedestal, an emission system that meets current regulations, and wireless headsets with an intercom system for Fire and Emergency Services personnel with connectivity to the 911 radio system.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will feature brief remarks, the "push-in" of Ladder 1, and refreshments. For more information, contact the ACC Fire and Emergency Services Department at 706-613-3360.