Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Six-Year Wait Results in State-of-the-Art Response
It is a process six years in the making, a process that cost a lot of budgeting and support from the City of Sidney and the community.
Almost exactly a year after it was ordered, the Sidney Fire Department received its newest response unit, a 2021 fire engine.
Fire Chief Laverne Bown said the process of purchasing the truck has taken five to six years. In that time, the city council approved saving a percent of the fire department's budget each year. The frugal approach allowed the department to make a cash down payment on the truck of almost have the purchase price.
“A lot of time and effort goes into purchases like this,” said Sidney Mayor Roger Gallaway during the unveiling Dec. 28. “This truck cost nearly $500,000.
In addition to the department savings from its Equipment Reserve Fund, purchasing the truck was assisted by the Nebraska Community Foundation Sidney Donor Advisory Fund.
The truck is a significant update from the model it is replacing and its nearly 30 years in service. Engine 31 has a smaller water tank – 750 gallons compared to 1,000 gallons – but more room for equipment and electronic controls. It also has a 25-gallon foam tank, which makes water more effective in certain fires. The truck also comes with side scene lights, a color-coded gauge for the water tank and automatic tire chains for inclement weather.
The engine can transport six firefighters, including the driver, and has a 1,500 gallon per minute (GPM) pump.
“This would go to any possible structure fire, auto accident,” he said.
Engine 31 is not yet available for service. Radios need to be installed, equipment secured and firefighters trained on how to operate the new truck. Bown anticipates the lifespan of the new truck to be 25 to 30 years.
The City's fire department also houses the Sidney Rural Fire Department with its eight trucks in addition to the City's four.
Sidney Fire Department currently has 33 firefighters with an average of 13 responding per call for service. Bown said the ideal number of volunteer firefighters is 50. Applications are available online on the City of Sidney website.
Reader Comments(0)