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Local firefighters press council for new joint fire/ambulance hall, cite aging trucks and health needs
Summary
Fire department representatives presented a plan for a new combined fire/MRU hall, saying existing bays are too small for modern trucks, several vehicles are over 20 years old, and a new station would allow gear-cleaning equipment and joint training. They outlined grant and fundraising options but acknowledged large funding gaps.
Firefighters urged the council to support researching and pursuing funding for a new joint fire and ambulance hall, saying the current station’s low doors and cramped bays make it difficult to house modern apparatus and to safely store equipment.
"After you hit the 20 year mark with the truck it becomes near impossible to source and find parts," John said, arguing that three of the department’s vehicles are at or beyond that age and that extended downtime forces reliance on mutual aid. He and other presenters said current garage-door heights of about 9'6"–9'7" prevent many modern pumpers (10–12.5 ft tall) from fitting without costly modification.
Speakers detailed estimated vehicle costs: a brand-new pumper has an industry lead time of 20–36 months and an out-the-door price around $600,000; a new tanker about $480,000; and used late-model apparatus can be found in the low-to-mid $200,000s. Presenters also estimated that customizing a vehicle to fit the current station could add roughly $100,000.
Beyond vehicle fit, presenters highlighted firefighter health and operational benefits: a new facility would have space for an extractor and dryer to decontaminate turnout gear and reduce carcinogen exposure, and would allow combined training and shared storage with MRU (the local ambulance service). Speakers identified potential funding sources including USDA grants, state DNR grants, Community Development Block Grants and state legislative funds, and discussed local fundraising and sponsorships as additional revenue streams.
Council members expressed sympathy and support for researching grants but warned of "sticker shock" over the total project cost; several said they would back further exploration and help identify grant-writing resources. No formal funding commitment or timeline was adopted at the meeting.
