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Grant
helps fire department
By LETA NOLAN CHILDERS
Capital Journal Staff
The city of Pierre is going to
obtain more fire fighting apparatus, thanks to a Federal Emergency Management
Agency grant.
Thanks to a $101,000 grant, the city fire department plans to use the money to
purchase a foam trailer, blitz attack nozzles and new Jaws of Life equipment.
Fire superintendent Tom Kurtenbach appeared before the Pierre City Commission
during its regular Tuesday meeting to explain the details of the equipment and
the grant that will pay 90 percent of its cost.
The foam trailer will be housed at the Pierre Regional Airport, where it will be
used as a back-up for an elderly trailer already in use. Airport manager Wade
Troth explained to the commission that the trailer they have now is old and
often out of repair. It is a regulation that airports possess this sort of
trailer, capable of shooting both Class A and Class B foam. The new trailer will
cost $45,200.
When the trailer is out of service, another must be rented or borrowed within a
matter of days. The closest place to rent one is Texas, according to Troth.
The blitz nozzles allow one fire fighter to attack a fire with 500 gallons per
minute in less than 30 seconds. It also allows for an oscillating water stream
that can be shot at the flames without manual operation for dangerous
situations. The four nozzles will cost about $14,000.
“The hydraulic extrication tools—the Jaws of Life—are more than 30 years
old,” said Kurtenbach.
The new tools are lighter, more powerful and more versatile. They cost $52,700.
The city will match 10 percent of the cost.
The commission also approved the purchase of a new fire truck to replace No. 2
Engine, a 1980 model. The truck is budgeted for 2005, but if it’s ordered now,
the city will save about $10,000. The total cost of the truck is $227,000.
Story by: Leta Nolan Childers
Capital Journal, Pierre, SD
www.capitaljournal.com
For more information about the Pierre Fire
Department, e-mail the PFD
webmaster.
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