New Ladder Fire Truck Unveiled at “Dezomeshiki” Event

January 7, 2019

Tokyo--The Tokyo Fire Department held a "dezomeshiki" New Year event on Sunday, unveiling a new aerial ladder fire truck.

The annual event, held at Tokyo Big Sight in the Japanese capital's Koto Ward, brought together about 2,800 people, including staff personnel from the department and registered disaster volunteers, and some 150 fire engines, as well as helicopters and fireboats.

At the top of the ladder of the new aerial ladder truck is a platform, which is larger than that of a conventional ladder fire truck. The larger platform can carry a wheelchair.

At the event, the new ladder truck performed a rescue of a person in a wheelchair from a building on the assumption of a powerful earthquake striking directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Water shooting by fire engines and fireboats, and traditional ladder stunts by men in "happi" clothing were also shown.

"We'll be fully prepared for disasters as we try to ensure the safety of Tokyo," Kenichi Murakami, head of the fire department, said in a speech, referring to a series of upcoming important events, including those related to Emperor Akihito's abdication and Crown Prince Naruhito's enthronement this year, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Jiji Press