JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – City representatives along with Fire Department, Police, and Stutsman County Sheriff’s personnel welcomed in the first-ever ladder truck owned by the city of Jamestown.
The community has been without a ladder truck since July 2019.
Mayor Dwaine Heinrich says while it was vital the city had a ladder truck in service, his hope was they would “never have to use it.”
Heinrich says it’s important to keep in mind the many businesses and individuals, big or small, who have made contributions to the ladder truck.
Mayor Heinrich added they would love to celebrate accordingly pending COVID-19 restrictions in 2021.
Jamestown Fire Chief Jim Reuther added that he’s relieved to have the ladder truck and the community should be commended for their help.
Reuther says their staff will need to undertake some training before they’re fully ready to utilize the ladder truck.
Chief Reuther named the vehicle Ladder No. 1 because it is the first ladder truck owned by the City. Reuther stated again that this project was not possible without the community’s support.
While the truck has made its way home, Heinrich says their work is not done when it comes to funding the vehicle.
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, although 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.
The ladder truck cost just over $1 million.
