By Ron Semple
Special to the Enterprise

The Advance Fire Department has a “new” ladder truck with an 85-foot tower – but don’t expect to see it on the road for a while.
Chief Rodney Miller hopes it will be ready to lead Advance’s Christmas Parade, but it will be even longer before the 43-foot long, 66,000 pound rig is in service.
Advance’s 43 part-time and volunteer firefighters will have to undergo 80 hours of training to be certified to operate the truck, purchased from a New Jersey fire department for $25,000. It is insured for a replacement price of $900,000.
 Miller said the funds to buy the truck came from department resources, including money raised at the twice-yearly barbecue.
Davie now has three ladder trucks. Coolemee’s is on duty and Mocksville’s is being serviced and will be back on the job soon.
All Davie fire departments have access to the ladder trucks thanks to mutual aid agreements. Miller said that means Advance’s neighboring fire departments such as Fork and Smith Grove can depend on Advance’s ladder truck being dispatched when needed.
The ladder truck’s crew will specialize in search and rescue and roof ventilation, which allows accumulated hot gases and smoke to escape. This makes it safer and easier for firefighters to attack a blaze …