Vinita accepts donated pickup for technical rescue task force and approves new SCBA compressor purchase

The Vinita City Council accepted a donated pickup intended for use by the Craig County Technical Rescue Task Force and approved purchase of a replacement SCBA compressor for the Vinita Fire Department.

Denny Cressup of Diamond Tail Cattle Company offered an older Ford pickup to support the joint city–county task force that handles swift‑water, confined‑space, trench and tower rescues. Council members moved to accept the donation and discussed using the vehicle as a trade‑in or sale to fund a down payment on a newer command vehicle; the council approved acceptance of the donation.

Separately, the council approved a purchase from Casco Industries, Inc., for a new SCBA compressor and fill station at an equipment cost of $51,797 plus estimated shipping of $1,800. Staff said $29,000 of the purchase would come from a fire grant and the balance from the building/property and support budget. Fire staff described the existing compressor as a 1999 Bauer unit that had exceeded its expected service life and been operating at higher pressure than originally intended; the replacement would modernize the cascade and compressor system used to fill self‑contained breathing apparatus bottles.

Chief Huxtable said accepting the donated pickup would help the task force and that the current command vehicle had high mileage. “If someone's willing to give us a free truck, for our benefit, we might as well take it,” he said. The council approved both items without opposition.