The Jamestown Fire Department will soon upgrade its extrication equipment following action by the Jamestown City Council last evening.
Fire Chief Jeff Landers told council members the department’s current extrication tool is more than 20 years old and requires two firefighters to operate because of its size and weight.
Landers proposed purchasing two new battery-powered extrication tools that are lighter, more portable and can each be operated by one firefighter. The equipment will cost approximately $34,000.
The department has raised $26,000 through private and corporate donations over the past year and a half. Landers said two substantial donations came from Stephens Pipe and Steel owner Terry Stephens after the department responded to two separate fires at the company’s Jamestown plant during the past year.
Councilman Dwight Richards made the motion to provide the remaining funds needed for the purchase. Former Fire Chief and current Councilman Tony Wright seconded the motion, which received unanimous approval.
Chief Landers said one of the new extrication tools will be assigned to the rescue truck at Jamestown Fire Station Number One downtown. The other will be placed on the rescue truck at Station Number Two, the former South Russell Fire Department.