Mt. Pleasant Fire Department gets new truck

MT. PLEASANT—The Mt. Pleasant City Council approved the purchase of a new 100 foot Midmount Ascendant aerial for the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department to replace the current 1990 aerial used by the department.

According to the proposal presented to the City Council, the purchase price for this new truck is $1,810,000.

The new truck will seat five firefighters, carry 300 gallons of water, and is capable of pumping 2000 gallons of water. The department’s current truck does not have a water tank.

Right now, the 1990 aerial used by the department is 48 feet long and 12 feet 4 inches high when in the stored position.

Comparatively, the new truck is 42.5 feet long and 10 feet 11 inches high in the same position.

“It’s not much bigger than our engine or rescue truck,” truck committee member Will Bensmiller said. “This smaller size will make it easier for us to get around town, especially some of the side streets.”

With the goal of this large purchase serving the department well for the next 25 to 30 years, the fire department has executed exuberant amounts of research.

According to the department, they have been working on creating the best truck since March, and have utilized the knowledge of other departments to ensure they are well-informed.

The fire department is hopeful to take delivery of the new truck in 16 to 18 months.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com