Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker hosted a public forum on the subject of the city fire department’s need for a ladder truck last week at City Hall.The department’s suggestion is that the city purchase a 75-foot ladder truck in order to be prepared to fight larger fires at some of the larger buildings in town, and that the city council put funds in the budget to make a down payment and enter into a five-year lease-purchase agreement on the vehicle.“Our recommendation is a 75-foot ladder truck with a 1,750 gallon per minute pump, which gives us a 1,500 gallon a minute water way,” Parker said.“It also has a 300 gallon tank and it carries hose and other equipment, so we can use it as a first line engine also.“We can count it as an engine and a ladder truck. I think we need to make a conscious effort to keep some of our money. We purchased our last fire truck in 2001.