Maybe you've seen it around town, and it caught your eye. Perhaps you've seen the tower rising above the firehouse. Sykesville's new Tower 12 is getting closer to being placed in service.

The new piece is an E-ONE Cyclone II Extreme Duty HP 100' Rear Mount Platform, and replaces our 2003 E-ONE 95' aerial platform/pumper, which was sold.

The tower features an extended cab with seating for six firefighters. It features a Cummings ISX 12 500hp engine, Allison EVS 4500 Transmission, Truck Company style body to include driver and officer's side full height compartments.

The tower was outfitted with lettering and special tool mounting by Patriot Fire in Grasonville. Sykesville apparatus drivers are currently being trained and approved on the new vehicle, and it is expected that Tower 12 will be fully in service in the next couple of weeks.

The cost of the new piece is just over one million dollars. It is being financed, in part, by a low-interest loan from the Maryland State Firemen's Association, and through the generous support of the community.

If you'd like to see the piece up close, stop by, and one of us will be happy to show it off to you. Thanks to the Sykesville-Eldersburg community for your ongoing support of the fire department!