By Mari Radtke
Chief Brent Noteboom and Assistant Chief Ryan Harper presented the fire truck purchase the PFD decided on to the Paullina City Council on March 21. They explained how the current pumper truck was failing mechanically and the leaking plumbing was impossible to keep up with. According to Chief Noteboom, “That was the last brand new truck we bought.” The pumper going out of service had a 700-gallon tank and a 750 gallon per minute (gpm) pump.
The new, customized 2021 mini pumper built by Pierce Manufacturing in Bradenton, FL features a more powerful 1500 gpm pump in the 300 gallon water tank to blast fires. The new, badly needed truck is paid for 50% by the residents of Paullina. All of Union Township is within the fire district and helping with paying for the fire truck. Also part of the PFD District and property taxed to pay for the fire truck are parts of Caledonia, Baker, Highland and Dale Townships. The townships collectively pay the other 50% of the truck cost.
The fire department plans to pick up the cost of equipping the fire truck including hoses, fittings and up to 2 SCBAs (self contained breathing apparatus). PFD has raised the funds through fundraisers and small grants.
The truck will be delivered to Paullina in 13 – 15 months.