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Grant to be sought for new Atchison Fire truck

By Greg Bebermeyer

02/04/2021

(KAIR)--A grant will be sought for a new Atchison Fire Department truck.

The Atchison City Commission Monday evening unanimously approved a grant application that the Fire Department is submitting that would pay for 95% of a new mini-pumper truck – changing the way the department responds to medical emergency calls.

According to a release from the city, the department estimates that more than 80% of calls are as first responders to medical emergencies. Currently, the department must use one of its full-sized pumper trucks to respond to all calls. One of the pumper trucks – Engine 3 – is approaching the end of its useful life and is due for replacement in the next couple years. Rather than replace that truck with another fullsized vehicle that could cost about $500,000 and has high maintenance costs, interim chief Pat Weishaar told commissioners that the mini-pumper would be more than sufficient as a replacement.

He said a mini-pumper truck will cost about $275,000, and have lower maintenance costs.

To help purchase the truck, the department is applying for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The grant would cover 95% of costs, leaving about a $14,000 price tag to the city.

The department will continue to maintain other full-sized pumper trucks available for fire emergencies, in addition to the mini-pumper which still has some firefighting capability.

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