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Manawa’s new fire truck ready

Manawa’s new fire truck is complete and is currently being displayed at various trade shows and conventions.

Allowing the truck to be used as a display model was in the purchase agreement, which kept the cost lower for the Manawa Rural Fire Department.

The new rescue/pumper will arrive in Manawa in time for the rodeo parade on July 4. It will be ready for service by August.

Fire Chief Rob Rosenau reported he received numerous positive comments and compliments about the new fire truck, which was displayed at the recent Fire Department Instructors Conference.

He said there are several other departments looking to copy the design and layout of Manawa’s new truck.

“It is a great reflection on the truck committee and the time they took creating the design,” Rosenau said.

The new rescue/pumper truck will replace two trucks.

It will have a 1,500 gpm water pumper, 750 gallons of water, 20 gallons of foam.

“All of these items are larger than the pumper that it is replacing, which will help with ISO ratings,” said Rosenau.

The main purpose of the truck is for rescues. It will have two sets of jaws, of which one set was donated to the fire department, and the other one is the current set.

The truck will have the latest in warning lights and scene lights.

“The scene lights will allow our department to operate safer during the night as the scene will be brighter,” Rosenau said.

The truck has seating for six personnel, an area for unified command when needed and an area for fire fighter rehab.

“The truck committee spent hours upon hours in laying out the truck to get our rescue gear into the same compartment for the same type of call,” Rosenau said.

The truck’s decals will be the same as what is used for the city’s police vehicles.

Rosenau estimates the new fire truck will be in service for at least 25 years.

“Our goal is to replace trucks within that time period,” he told the fire board when the truck was ordered. “We will purchase a next truck after this one is paid off; about every six years.”

Jaeckle joins board

John Jaeckle was welcomed as a new member to the Manawa Fire & Ambulance Board during its April 28 meeting.

Jaeckle represents the town of Royalton, where he also serves as town chairman.

The board voted for present officers to continue, and no other nominations were presented. Continuing as officers are: Mary Eck, board president; Randy Elsner, vice-president; and Jackie Beyer, secretary treasurer.

Rosenau reported 47 fire calls to date. He noted that last year’s total was 55.

The final papers for the $350,000 fire truck loan were presented for signatures.

Rosenau reported that the Manawa Rural Fire Department participated in the tornado drill at the Manawa schools. He will follow up with District Administrator Melanie Oppor to discuss and implement improvements.

Ambulance Director Andy Werth reported 23 runs for April and 83 total runs for the year. His budget report through March showed income up from run revenue and expenses running normal.

The board noted the profit and loss reports show both departments are operating in the black.

The board agreed to do an annual audit.

In closed session, the board agreed the ambulance director should proceed with negotiations for the Intercept Agreement.

The board also approved a $20 per month wage increase for the ambulance director.

The next fire board meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19.

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