From what I've read, I believe that's true. They were very solid and well looked after, you didn't want one breaking on you. Aluminum started to be used in the 70s (I think) but wooden ones were still in use up till they retired them in the 90s. I believe part of the reason some firefighters continue to miss them was there speed of deployment.
Strangely, the horse pulled versions weren't the earliest, in several cities they would be deployed on street corners ready for use.