New fire truck will be benefit on rescue calls
City council members will consider approving the purchase next week of a
The purchase of this type of vehicle has been discussed for a few years.
"It's been in the works a little over three years now," said Fire Capt.
He said they worked on the specs to bid out this truck and a new aerial truck, but due to financial issues and being told there only will be funding in the budget for one of the two, "this was a higher priority for us."
McMasters said the rescue pumper is set up and equipped to do more than just fight fires. It has about 370 to 380 cubic feet of storage and compartment space, compared to about 230 cubic feet in a typical fire engine, to hold axes and other rescue tools.
He said instead of just the hose bed area on a typical fire engine, there are upper access doors for compartments for extra rescue type of equipment. Firefighters will have the equipment all the time.
He said normally extrication tools, including the jaws of life, are carried on the department's heavy rescue squad.
"We're getting rid of that vehicle. It's not used very much," McMasters said about the limited personnel and the vehicle close to exceeding its weight limit. "It's a little overtaxed."
McMasters said the new pumper has extrication equipment built into the workings of the truck.
If firefighters pull up to an accident scene, the extrication equipment can be immediately ready to use.
"It's kind of multitasking," he said about the pumper.
The pumper can go to fires, medical and rescue calls.
The new pumper, with council approval, will mean that another truck gets moved to reserve status.
McMasters said the fire department has a 1999 model with a 75-foot ladder that has had to have multiple things rebuilt on it and a 1998 engine "that is starting to nickel and dime the city a little bit on repairs. One will be put in reserve status."
The city received three bids for the pumper, but one bidder bid the wrong vehicle, according to city officials.
It will be almost a year until delivery. It takes about 330 days to make the pumper, city officials said. The pumper would be delivered on a truck, according to Mayor
Eisenhauer added that city mechanics will undergo training and should be able to handle most service on the pumper. But there also is a certified mechanic to service it in
The source of funding for the pumper has yet to be determined. The resolution states proceeds to pay for the heavy rescue pumper shall come from current and future funds.
City officials would hope to go out for a bond issue in September or October, according to Eisenhauer.
Eisenhauer said a bond would be brought before aldermen for action to cover the cost of the pumper and more dilapidated building demolitions throughout the city. Capital funding also could be used if aldermen don't approve a bond.
Also Tuesday, council members will consider approving:
--A real estate contract for acquisition of property for the Vermilion Plaza Subdivision, south of the former Pizza Hut on
There is no cost to the city for the acquired strip of land extending south from
The road would be owned by the city initially, but as development occurs it would be deeded back to the developer, according to city officials. If development plans fall through, the city won't build the road.
Again, Eisenhauer said "one entity we feel will be going there," and it's believed there will be multiple developments.
--Budget amendments of
--Budget amendments in the city's bond and interest fund and also the land acquisition fund due to the
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