NORWICH – Nearly nine months after the ladder of the aerial truck at the Norwich Fire Department was taken out of service due to severe deterioration that rendered it unsafe for use, the Norwich FD crew on Saturday continued their ongoing pursuit of a replacement apparatus.

Members of the Norwich Fire Department gathered at the firehouse to look at a replacement demo truck driven into the city early Saturday morning by the Smeal Fire Apparatus Company, based out of Snyder, Neb. It was the second demo truck the crew has examined over the past two weeks and according to Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo, hopes are to inspect two additional trucks from two different companies in the coming weeks.

“This is a huge expense and we want to make sure we do it right the first time,” Chawgo said, citing the $650,000 price tag attached to the 2012 Smeal model. “We would like to see two more demos, if the companies can get them out here.”

Chawgo also said the department considered buying a new or used aerial truck, but the cost of such a move could reach upwards of $1.3 million, while a used vehicle - though much cheaper at roughly $400,000-$600,000 - might not last as long and put the city under the same burden a few years from now. “It is a difficult situation to be in,” he added.

During May’s Joint Committees meeting, Chawgo updated the city council on the search process, which has been underway since the Norwich FD recommended in April that the council allow it to move forward with the purchase of a replacement truck instead or repairing the tuck currently owned by the department. Chawgo told council members that warranties for demo trucks begin when the purchase contract is signed, as if the truck were new, which makes demo trucks likely to be the best option for the city.