The newest star of the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department’s vehicle fleet was welcomed to town on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. A 2015 Pierce Arrow XT platform truck arrived with fanfare and celebration by members of the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department, Town Hall, Town Council, and the community. The truck will replace the current Tower 21, a truck with a ladder and platform used for firefighting and rescue.
The arrival of the platform truck is a milestone. The Chatham Town Council has sought a good replacement for the current 1993 Pierce Arrow Platform truck for several years. The current Tower 21 is experiencing mechanical issues, especially with its hydraulics, as well as difficulty in sourcing replacement parts due to its age.
Getting this truck into Town required teamwork.
“I’m really proud of the Council and the way this unfolded,” Chatham Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bobby Higgins said. “Everybody was working together. The support they have given, obviously, meant a lot.”
Chief Higgins and volunteer Lieutenant Travis Wood searched for alternatives. They knew what the Town required in a new platform truck, but opportunities remained elusive. Many good used platform trucks were pre-sold to other communities. Buying a used truck did not look possible.
The Town was expecting to purchase a brand-new platform truck, which now cost over $2.2-2.5 million per unit depending on options. In addition to its cost, the truck would take 2–3 years to make due to a backlog at the factory. This is a significant expense for the Town and its residents both in time and money.
With a great deal of patience, an opportunity did come from Arlington County. They listed their 2015 Pierce Arrow XT for a newer model. The sale was brokered through Brindlee Mountain, who also serviced the truck prior to its release to the Town.
The new platform truck adds several newer features and advantages for Chatham and its surrounding communities.
The 2015 Pierce Arrow XT sets up much faster after arrival on scene. It takes just one man less than a minute to setup the 2015 Pierce Arrow. This is significantly faster than the old truck, which took at least two men 3-5 minutes to perform the same action. The new truck also frees up a firefighters for other on-scene duties.
“It is significantly faster,” Chief Higgins said.
The new truck has its own water pump. The old truck required a dedicated pumping truck to assist pumping water to a spray nozzle at the top of the platform. The new truck can do this on its own, which frees up the pumper for other on-scene duties.
“Our new platform truck is self sufficient for basic operations,” Chief Higgins said.
The new truck has a higher ground clearance. There are many locations both in and outside of Chatham that cause the truck to ‘bottom-out.’ This means the truck gets stuck going over a large hump in the road. This is a significant hazard as crews are generally rushing to an emergency scene and don’t always see the potential issue with the roadway.
“It removes a significant ‘Driver’s Burden.’ The new unit can actually go more places,” Chief Higgins said.
The new unit is an XT version as well. This means the new platform truck can haul an extra two fighter fighters to the emergency scene. The new truck seats six over four with the current truck.
The list price for the 2015 Pierce Arrow XT was $649,000. A down payment of $50,000 was made to purchase the truck, and much of that down payment arrived from business and private citizen donations. The remaining balance on the new platform truck is $599,000.
“There was no fixation. This was a realistic option for a fast, inexpensive replacement for the old Tower 21,” Chief Higgins said.
Several individuals help facilitate the purchase of this truck. Chief Higgins greatly appreciates Town Treasurer Kelly Hawker and Town Attorney Tim Fisk for their direct assistance with the deal. He also recognizes Police and Fire Committee Chairman Teresa Easley and former Town Manager Nick Morris for their assistance and support. He also thanks everyone who donated, and encourages additional donations from those who didn’t get a chance to pitch in.
“We all realize there is no piggy bank with millions of dollars in it,” Chief Higgins said. There was a need and everyone showed a lot of support.
“(The purchase of the truck) has breathed new life into our volunteers,” Chief Higgins continued. “These young guys and really excited about driving and using this new truck. It will change some of our standard operating procedures. We
have some training to do.”
“This (truck) is a central piece in this community,” Higgins said. “We had the first platform truck in the community. From big houses, to dormitories, to the industrial park, the new Tower 21 maintains a tradition of strong public safety within the Chatham and Pittsylvania County communities.”
The Town of Chatham supports an independent volunteer fire department serving the Town of Chatham and its surrounding communities. The department works within the emergency response framework for Pittsylvania County. Donations are requested for the new Ladder 21. Donations are accepted by Kelly Hawker, Treasurer, Chatham Town Hall. The target request is $250 per individual. Donating businesses can request a photo op with the new truck with a higher donation level.