North Stockton receives new ladder fire truck after 13 years

STOCKTON, Calif. — North Stockton's Fire Station 7 now has a new ladder fire truck after being without one for 13 years. The station lost its previous truck during Stockton's bankruptcy in 2012. This new addition is expected to improve search and rescue operations in the area. Brandon Doolan, Deputy Chief of Stockton's Fire Department, explained the difference between fire trucks. A fire engine carries water, while the ladder truck focuses on rescue efforts. It features a 100-foot aerial ladder, which assists in emergencies like fires or vehicle accidents. Michael Blower, a City Council member for District 3, expressed relief over the city's financial recovery. He remarked that Stockton is now able to restore important services. The new ladder truck at Station 7 means firefighters will no longer rely on trucks from other stations, which can cause delays during emergencies. With the addition of this truck, Stockton now has four ladder trucks in total. The truck, purchased in 2023, cost over $1.6 million. Most of the funding, $1.3 million, came from a federal grant received in 2020, along with local matching funds.