PHOTOS: Asheville Fire Department’s dual driver ladder truck is a tiller truck or a tractor drawn aerial (TDA). This hook-and-ladder truck features a specialized turntable ladder mounted on a semi-trailer truck. Ladder 1 was purchased for $1.2 million back in 2019. It runs out of the downtown station and responds to more than 2,800 calls per year. Maybe you are wondering why the Asheville Fire Department chose to purchase this type of truck versus a standard ladder truck. This type of ladder truck allows AFD firefighters to more safely maneuver through the narrow streets and challenging terrain of downtown Asheville. These types of trucks are designed with increased maneuverability with shorter wheelbases and impressive turning radius. The tractor drawn aerial truck responds to fires, rescues, car wrecks and EMS calls. Its ladder extends to 103 feet.