On Thursday, March 5 Chief Clouser, Administrator Schreiner, and Director Bair traveled to Appleton, WI to meet with Pierce personnel regarding the rechassis of old Truck 516 (soon to be new Truck 517). Over the two day visit the Alphas met with technical experts and designers and made final decisions on options such as platform lighting, ground ladder arrangement, and paint. The final cost figure from Pierce is due March 25. All preliminary testing of aerial components has been completed and disassembly of the unit is imminent.

While in Wisconsin the team made a side trip to Hortonville to visit E. J. Metals, a prospective supplier for the Fire Police vehicles slated for purchase later this year. This visit was very productive and enabled us to qualify this supplier.