JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The City of Jamestown has officially paid off the new ladder truck.
On November 27, 2019, the State of North Dakota Department of Human Services announced it was terminating its agreement with the city for the use of a state-owned ladder truck it had provided for over 90 years. Officials reported that a ladder truck is required to provide fire and rescue operations for structures with two or more stories as well as large building complexes and other inaccessible areas, a number of which are located on state property in Jamestown.
At a cost of $1 million, a proposal to pay for the truck on a three-way split was proposed by the city of Jamestown with 1/3 covered by the city, 1/3 by donations, and the final 1/3 by the state.
Using federal coronavirus stimulus money and donations, the city was able to raise 2/3 of the cost. The state made the move to pass House Bill 1012, which contained funding for the ladder truck.
Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich reported that the community support was above and beyond what they needed.
Heinrich says this showed the importance of the ladder truck and local Fire Department’s ability to serve the community. He added that there would be a community celebration sometime to recognize those who donated funds to the ladder truck.