January 3, 2004

Department purchases land, truck

       The White River Township Fire Protection District Board approved the purchases of a piece of land and a new fire truck at last night's monthly meeting.  The land is for a future fire station just west of the intersection of State Road 135 and Olive Branch Road.  Although no definitive time-line has been set, the new station will most likely replace an existing station on Runyon Road.  The new location is based on a long-term plan to better accommodate all citizens of the fire district.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends that a fire department should respond to the scene of all emergencies within four minutes of the call at least 90% of the time.  This new location, in compliance with the department's long-term plan will better able the department to meet that goal.  Final purchase of the property is dependant upon satisfactory reports from the architect, environmental study, re-platting, and others.  Any structure built on the property will need to conform to the Herron Ridge covenant restrictions as well as have a "buffer" of trees or shrubs to segregate it from the adjoining residential properties.

    In other business, the board also approved the purchase of a new tactical unit for the department.  The tactical, to be built by Saulsbury Fire Apparatus, will take about a year to build.  The truck will serve as a multi-purpose unit carrying a various cadre of equipment and supplies.  The apparatus will also be set up as a tactical command unit allowing it to function as an incident command center in the event of a large incident.  Agreements are being drawn up to permit the truck to be used in surrounding districts and be available county-wide for large-scale emergencies.

  

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