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Millville honors firefighters after July 11 rescue; commission advances funding for a Vactor truck and street sweeper
Summary
Millville commissioners presented lifesaving awards to firefighters and EMTs for a July 11 rescue of a toddler and another occupant, praised city storm response, and voted to pursue up to $1.15 million in iBank financing for a Vactor truck and street sweeper while affirming a separate fire-truck effort.
Millville commissioners and city officials on July 21 publicly recognized Millville Fire Department crews and EMTs who rescued a toddler and another occupant from a July 11 dwelling fire and later moved to pursue financing for equipment that city leaders say will improve public-safety and utility operations.
Fire Chief John Whetstein recounted the July 11 call, saying crews found a toddler named Jack on a back-porch roof and another occupant, Katie, inside. Whetstein said EMTs Lehi and Zadroga secured and transported the patients to Inspire Hospital, and that both have recovered. "We are here to celebrate the greatest accomplishment that you can hope for when responding to an emergency — saving a life," Whetstein said as he presented lifesaving awards to the crew.
Sherman R. Taylor Jr., director of public safety, read proclamations naming firefighters and EMTs for "extraordinary courage, quick thinking, and decisive action." Mayor Dixon and multiple commissioners thanked the responders and noted the psychological toll of such incidents on crews.
The recognition followed commissioner reports about a July 18 wind event that officials described as a likely microburst focused on the city's Third Ward. Commissioner Taylor reported public-safety statistics for June — including 628 EMS calls (307 transports) and 128 fire calls — and credited city crews, contractors and Atlantic City Electric for rapid post-storm response.
On capital needs, the commission voted to move forward with a bond application and iBank process for up to $1,150,000 to acquire a Vactor truck and a street sweeper, a package city staff and a grant consultant said could include principal forgiveness if approved. Vice Mayor Cott and staff emphasized the iBank structure is targeted to utility and infrastructure equipment; the mayor and commissioners also stressed that pursuit of this financing does not replace ongoing efforts to obtain a separate fire truck.
Vice Mayor (speaker identified in transcript as the vice mayor) described Triad's role in sourcing the funding opportunity and said the package included soft-cost support such as engineering. "We couldn't have used this for the fire truck," a commissioner said in discussion, explaining why the Vactor and sweeper were submitted to the iBank process. The commission approved the measure to proceed with the iBank application by roll call.
The meeting also included several resolutions and routine votes tied to municipal repairs, grant insertions and infrastructure projects, and a city announcement of a special brush cleanup for storm debris with an early curbside placement option. The meeting adjourned after final comments and a roll-call vote.
What happens next: The city will apply to iBank for the purchase package; if awarded, some or all of the $1.15 million may be forgiven under program terms. Any separate purchase of a fire truck will continue through the capital process and require additional approvals.
