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The ladder on a fire truck plays a critical role in providing access to upper floors of a building and other heights that firefighters cannot reach on their own. As technology has improved, the ladders on fire trucks have also improved. The differences between a 1999 firetruck ladder and a 1998 ladder include both aesthetic and functional upgrades.

One of the glaring differences between ladders of the two different years is the aesthetics. The 1999 firetruck ladder is made from stainless steel, whereas the 1998 ladder was made from raw steel. Stainless steel ladders are not only sleeker in appearance, but they also hold up far longer than raw steel ladders. This is due to stainless steel being more corrosion-resistant and, therefore, stronger.

Functionally, firetrucks made in 1999 are generally equipped with ladders that feature a maximum weight capacity of 1000 pounds. That is double the maximum supported load that firetrucks from 1998 had. This is an important safety factor and allows more firefighters to put their confidence in the ladders when accessing heights.

Another functional difference in the ladders between 1999 and 1998 firetrucks are the added sturdiness. While 1998 ladders featured a climbable walk-through platform, their 1999 brethren feature a separate platform for both ascending and descending. This extra security by way of double handles and stable footing is considered to be both more reliable and safer.

Overall, the trends in fire truck ladders over the last decade have been towards improved safety and aesthetics. The 1999 firetruck ladder is a clear example of that, as it features improved weight capacity, materials and sturdiness when compared to its 1998 counterpart. Fire crews around the world rely more and more on quality ladders every day, so these improvements are welcome increases in safety and assurance.