Last modified: Thursday, December 21, 2006
City and IU partner to purchase new firetruck
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 21, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The City of Bloomington and Indiana University will jointly purchase a new 100-foot aerial ladder platform truck that will enable firefighters to gain access to the tops of the city's and campus's tallest buildings.
The joint purchase agreement was announced today (Dec. 21) by Mayor Mark Kruzan and IU Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Terry Clapacs. The truck's total purchase price is approximately $800,000. The university will provide $320,000 toward the purchase and the city will provide the balance.
The new truck will replace an existing piece of apparatus that was jointly purchased in 1991 and has reached the end of its life cycle. The department expects to take delivery of the new vehicle in March. Bloomington's city fire department also provides fire protection to Indiana University's Bloomington campus.
"This is the ultimate in community collaboration," Kruzan said. "We are extremely appreciative of Indiana University, and of Kirk White in particular, for coming through to make such a significant commitment to public safety. It is this type of teamwork and cooperation that make Bloomington a terrific, safe community in which to live."
White, IU's director of community relations and a former city councilman, represented the university in making the arrangements.
Clapacs pointed out that IU has made a long-standing practice of supporting the city fire department to maintain a high level of protection for university assets. IU pays $600,000 a year to the city to support the salaries of 12 firefighters at the University Station on North Woodlawn Avenue.
"We believe our partnership has resulted in a higher level of safety and firefighting capacity not only for the campus, but for the Bloomington community," Clapacs said.
"I am very pleased to have this new ladder platform truck in Bloomington," said Fire Chief Jeff Barlow. "This will allow our firefighters the ability to reach heights of 100 feet off the ground, pump water at fire scenes, and carry needed fire equipment. The platform also provides our firefighters a work area to assist people out to safety if stairwells are not usable. There are dozens of high-rise structures in Bloomington, most of which, but not all, are located on campus. This apparatus, designed and manufactured to current safety standards, will provide many years of service to the community, and we are grateful to have it."
