Read More...
News
Poseyville Fire Truck in holding pattern
North Posey Relay plans set in motion
Marrs, West will pick up Hedges kids
Under the Beams concert set for March 13
Sports
North Posey falls victim to Mater Dei’s assault defense
Local age group swimmers dominate
North Posey Elementary wrestlers achieve
Other Sections
Contact Us
Online Features
Links
Employee Tools
Thank You for Visiting Us at:
THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS
We are Posey County's Definitive Source for News in the Mount Vernon, New Harmony, Poseyville, Saint Philip, Saint Wendel and Wadesville areas. Period.
Headline News
Poseyville Fire Truck in holding pattern
By Valerie Werkmeister
The surveys have been done, the discussions have ended and the application
has been completed and is ready to be sent to the state. Now all there is to
do is wait… and hope that the Poseyville Volunteer Fire Department will be
chosen to receive a grant to purchase a new rescue truck.
A public hearing was held Tuesday, March 2, in regards to the fire
departments’ intentions to file a grant application with the Indiana
Community Rural Affairs Office. Debbie Bennett of the Economic Development
Coalition outlined the information for the public hearing.
The fire department hopes to be awarded $150,000 that will be applied toward
the total estimated cost of $237,000. The Town of Poseyville and Robb
Township will also contribute $87,000 to help purchase the rescue truck.
They also hope to receive a $5,000 grant from the Posey County Community
Foundation.
The application will be submitted on March 19, and they hope to receive a
response in early May.
A number of citizens from the community and the fire department spoke in
support of the purchase of a new rescue truck. There was no opposition. Many
reiterated the point that the truck “is vital to the community.” Chief
Michael Crawford explained that the rescue truck is sent out on many of the
emergency calls the department receives because of the type of equipment it
carries. The truck is versatile in its uses on the scenes of accidents,
fires and medical runs. It hauls extrication equipment and can be used to
help sustain life support until an ambulance can arrive to transport the
injured.
“We’re not asking for something we don’t need. It is a necessity,” Crawford
said.
The current rescue truck is a dinosaur that requires excessive maintenance
work to keep it running. Members of the department volunteer their time to
do what they can to keep the truck running and reduce expenses. According to
Crawford, $10,000 has been spent on the truck in the past five years to keep
it running. He equated the value to the same cost as purchasing seven sets
of turn-out gear for department personnel.
Assistant Fire Chief, Larry Droege, stated safety issues are also a concern.
“The truck has a top speed of 55 miles per hour and only has lap belts. It
is a huge safety concern for me.”
Other area departments also depend on Poseyville’s rescue truck. Scott
Miller spoke on behalf of Griffin and New Harmony Fire Departments stating
both departments rely heavily on Poseyville for assistance, especially on
the interstate.
If the fire department is awarded the grant in May, they plan to advertise
for bids the same month and order the new truck later this summer. It could
take from six months up to one year before the new truck is built and
delivered.
