The purchase of a $704,748 heavy rescue for the fire department was approved by the Pipestone (MN) City Council, according to a story published by the Pipestone County Star.
The newspaper reported that individuals donated $100,000 to the purchase price and the Rural Fire Association would pay 25 percent of the total cost with the remaining $419,752 paid by the city.
The need for a new truck was identified last year during the budgeting process, but no funds were budgeted, according to the newspaper article. The donation helped accelerate the purchase and the city is looking at financing options to cover the rest of the purchase price, including a lease/purchase arrangement as it did when the city purchased a ladder truck in 2013.
The new rescue will replace a 1994 pumper and a 1999 rescue vehicle, the newspaper reported, noting that the former rescue vehicle might fetch $20,000 if sold.
The new heavy rescue will also have pumping capabilities with a 1,000-gallon tank and a 1,250-gpm pump, according to the newspaper. It will also carry grain bin rescue equipment, rope and trench rescue equipment an air bottle refill system, winches and extrication equipment, the newspaper said.
