A crucial piece of equipment designed to help with rescues is out of service.The ladder truck in Cape Girardeau has not been in use since September 8, after it was involved in a crash.Ethan Essner, vice president for the Cape Girardeau Firefighters’ Association, said the fire department has a reserve ladder truck, but that one also needs repairs.And while funds to replace the ladder have been denied the closest cities with the 100 foot ladder are Carbondale and Poplar Bluff.