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Grant-funded fire truck would make city safer
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
Responding to a request by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Willcox Department of Public Safety recently submitted a funding request for nearly $1 million.
Giffords' office had asked for fiscal year 2010-2011 federal appropriations funding requests for projects in Southern Arizona, said Ruth Graham, the city's finance director.
On Feb. 19, the city submitted a request for funding in the amount of $989,960 to purchase a multi-purpose ladder truck for the fire department, she said in her Feb. 22 letter to council.
"If this project is funded, the city plans to purchase a Quint Fire Truck, which would serve all purposes necessary for extinguishing structure fires," said Graham, adding that the truck includes "five features in one unit: an aerial device, a pump, a hose, a water tank, and ground ladders."
"In the event of an emergency, this truck would become the main response vehicle for emergencies because the unit will be capable of serving many different emergency needs," she said.
Graham said that since the department's priority is to "keep all citizens, visitors, and property safe," "this vehicle will be an essential tool for the fire department."
"Willcox has several buildings and grain elevators that the trucks in our existing fleet cannot reach," she explained.
In his Feb. 18 letter of support, Willcox Mayor Sam Lindsey talked about the importance of purchasing "a fire truck equipped with a ladder to reach buildings higher than two stories."
"This purchase is vital to our community, not only for residents, but for our tourists as well," said Lindsey, pointing out that the local Holiday Inn is three stories high.
"At this time, the City of Willcox does not have rescue equipment that can reach the third floor," he said in his letter addressed to Legislative Director Caryn Schenewerk with Giffords' office.
Lindsey said that the proposed fire truck purchase is in keeping with the Willcox General Plan.
"The city is going to continue to grow and thrive," with major growth anticipated in the next five years, he said.
"The proposed project would make the City of Willcox one step closer to what we envision for the future of our great city," Lindsey said.
Graham told the council that information on any matching requirement was not yet available.
Those requirements would be presented to the council for its consideration prior to accepting the award, she said.
If the award is made, the funds will be used to purchase a Quint Fire truck.
Department of Public Safety Director Jake Weaver explained that the name "Quint" refers to the fact that there are five things in one truck.
City council gave its unanimous approval to submitting the funding request.
Giffords' office had asked for fiscal year 2010-2011 federal appropriations funding requests for projects in Southern Arizona, said Ruth Graham, the city's finance director.
On Feb. 19, the city submitted a request for funding in the amount of $989,960 to purchase a multi-purpose ladder truck for the fire department, she said in her Feb. 22 letter to council.
"If this project is funded, the city plans to purchase a Quint Fire Truck, which would serve all purposes necessary for extinguishing structure fires," said Graham, adding that the truck includes "five features in one unit: an aerial device, a pump, a hose, a water tank, and ground ladders."
"In the event of an emergency, this truck would become the main response vehicle for emergencies because the unit will be capable of serving many different emergency needs," she said.
Graham said that since the department's priority is to "keep all citizens, visitors, and property safe," "this vehicle will be an essential tool for the fire department."
"Willcox has several buildings and grain elevators that the trucks in our existing fleet cannot reach," she explained.
In his Feb. 18 letter of support, Willcox Mayor Sam Lindsey talked about the importance of purchasing "a fire truck equipped with a ladder to reach buildings higher than two stories."
"This purchase is vital to our community, not only for residents, but for our tourists as well," said Lindsey, pointing out that the local Holiday Inn is three stories high.
"At this time, the City of Willcox does not have rescue equipment that can reach the third floor," he said in his letter addressed to Legislative Director Caryn Schenewerk with Giffords' office.
Lindsey said that the proposed fire truck purchase is in keeping with the Willcox General Plan.
"The city is going to continue to grow and thrive," with major growth anticipated in the next five years, he said.
"The proposed project would make the City of Willcox one step closer to what we envision for the future of our great city," Lindsey said.
Graham told the council that information on any matching requirement was not yet available.
Those requirements would be presented to the council for its consideration prior to accepting the award, she said.
If the award is made, the funds will be used to purchase a Quint Fire truck.
Department of Public Safety Director Jake Weaver explained that the name "Quint" refers to the fact that there are five things in one truck.
City council gave its unanimous approval to submitting the funding request.
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| Two return, two new to join City Council | Boomer to the rescue: Equine ranger for Fort Bowie and Chiricahua made 7 rescues in 2009 |
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FrankieLee wrote on Mar 20, 2010 8:08 PM:
"Socialism is great until you run out of other people's money to spend." "