A new firefighting weapon rolled into Alexandria Friday, Jan. 21.

It’s a $1.24 million aerial fire truck that will replace a 1999 ladder truck that needed extensive repairs, according to Fire Chief Jeff Karrow.

The truck, a Rosenbauer Commander/Cobra platform apparatus, was recommended by the fire department’s truck committee that studied five different aerial trucks. The Alexandria City Council approved the purchase last February.

One advantage of the Rosenbauer is its bucket, Karrow said. It's significantly larger to accommodate more personnel and a basket to carry victims during high-level rescues. Karrow noted that since 2016, the city has added 333 multi-level apartment units.

Some other advantages of the Rosenbauer, according to Karrow:

Karrow added that Rosenbauer is a Minnesota company that will be able to provide a fast diagnosis of any repairs.