Coeur d'Alene Crews Test New High-Capacity Extrication
A new 75-ton rotator truck is being used to improve rescue speeds during complex heavy-vehicle accidents in the area.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Trucks
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Fire departments in Coeur d'Alene recently completed joint extrication training using a new, specialized 75-ton rotator truck. This equipment is designed to speed up rescue operations during complex heavy-vehicle accidents.
Why it matters
The introduction of this high-capacity equipment improves safety and response efficiency for motorists involved in severe accidents where conventional rescue tools are insufficient. It fills a critical gap in regional emergency capabilities.
Reliable Towing is the only company with a 75-ton rotator within a 300-mile radius, outperforming the 50-ton limit of other regional units. The truck utilizes a 360-degree boom and multiple winches for high-precision lifting.
The players
Coeur d'Alene Fire Department
A municipal emergency service agency responsible for fire suppression and rescue operations in the city.
Reliable Towing
A private recovery firm that provides heavy-duty towing services and equipment to support local emergency responders.
The details
The rotator truck operates via a remote-controlled boom and winches, allowing crews to lift heavy vehicles off pinned cars from a parallel position. This design enables the truck to secure an incident site without obstructing all surrounding traffic lanes, significantly reducing the footprint of recovery operations.
Timeline
Reliable Towing acquired the 75-ton rotator truck in November 2025.
The training session took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The Home Front
The integration of specialized private-sector recovery tools into municipal rescue training represents a shift in local emergency management. Departments are increasingly prioritizing high-capacity equipment to handle the growing size of vehicles on local roadways.
While this equipment is reserved for emergency incidents, motorists should always maintain a safe distance from active emergency scenes to allow recovery crews space to work. Keep your vehicle's emergency contact information updated and stored in an accessible location.
The takeaway
New heavy-duty recovery equipment significantly expands the options for extrication during local traffic incidents. Keep a record of your roadside assistance provider's contact details in your glove box to ensure quick support in the event of an accident.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in heavy-duty vehicles and recovery equipment in our Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Coeur d'Alene Press.
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