FIRE CHIEF EXPLAINS PLAN FOR NEW TRUCK, DEPARTMENT RESCUE SERVICE

The chance to acquire a new fire truck and help Cape Girardeau firefighters do a better job with heavy rescue services have been outlined to the city by Fire Chief Bob Ridgeway.

Ridgeway persuaded the City Council to pass a resolution authorizing the city manager to embark on an agreement to provide special heavy-rescue services within Cape Girardeau County.

The previous agreement, established May 8, 1986, included language that excluded special cases such as someone being trapped in farm equipment, industrial accidents, trapped individuals or other emergency situations.

The language of the proposed agreement is essentially the same as that developed in 1986; the only real changes are incorporated into the new language.

"Language in the first agreement included individuals who are trapped in cars," said Ridgeway. "Gene Huckstep, who is the father of heavy-rescue services in this area, simply recommended that we provide the service on a countywide basis and change language to fit the needs of today."

The fire chief said the agreement would enable the city to eliminate two older vehicles with high maintenance costs and provide better heavy-rescue service for the county and city of Jackson.

Engine No. 4, a 1974 American LaFrance, and Rescue 4, a 1980 Chevrolet, need replacing.

The proposed agreement with Cape County gives the city $50,000 toward the purchase of a new rescue vehicle in exchange for providing heavy-rescue services. In addition, Jackson would have to agree to provide $1,500 per year for similar services. This amounts to $65,000 that would be provided to the city over the life of the 10-year agreement that can be put toward vehicle replacement.

"Here you've got a chance to give the city a new truck and provide the county and city of Jackson with better heavy-rescue services," said Ridgeway at Monday night's city council meeting. "Whenever you can get that kind of a deal, it's hard to pass up."

The council voted to approve the resolution with the proviso that it would have to be accepted into next year's annual budget.

Ridgeway said a new rescue pumper vehicle would eliminate the need for a tandem pumping engine and heavy-rescue squad, the combination costing an estimated $165,000. "By incorporating the needs of both types of services into a single vehicle, we will receive a considerable savings of $150,000," said Ridgeway. "I rate replacement of the 1974 and 1980 vehicles as the No. 1 priority in our apparatus replacement and renovation program."

City Manager J. Ronald Fischer pointed out that the Jackson Board of Aldermen would have to approve the measure for the resolution to go into effect.

"There is still a chance they could say they don't want to enter into this type of agreement, but it looks like it would help both cities if they did want it," said Fischer.

With the 1986 agreement, Cape County provided $25,000 toward a purchase price of $45,000 for a used 1982 light rescue vehicle for the city.

"The small size and design of the vehicle precludes our ability to carry the wide variety of tools and appliances necessary to cope with the myriad of heavy-rescue situations encountered today," said Ridgeway.