Jan. 11, 2023 “Please be very careful while responding to calls.” Semmes Capt. Charles Couey wrote in an e-mail to firefighters.
Source Firehouse.com News
A captain with Semmes Fire-Rescue warned others about a brake issue six days before it crashed.
When the rear wheel locked up, the truck went sideways and rolled, NBC15 reported.
In an e-mail obtained by the station, Capt. Charles Couey wrote: “The ladder truck air brake is getting worse… Please be very careful while responding to calls.”
Chief Kevin Brooks declined to do an interview with reporters this week because the crash investigation was ongoing.
After the wreck last Wednesday, he said: “I’m pretty sure the weather had a huge factor in this accident, but we’re going to be investigating it at all angles.”
In Couey’s Dec. 29 email, it’s noted that the new engine wouldn’t be placed into service until after the ceremony. “Hopefully, the ladder can last until then.”
It didn’t.
During Thursday’s dedication, the chief said: “That truck is 24 years old, so it was an older ladder truck, and yes, we are planning, we were planning to replace it.”