On a drive by the Caledonia Fire Hall on a sunny Saturday morning, you’re likely to see two new pieces of impressive firefighting equipment proudly on display out front, a 2008 Pierce pumper/tanker and a 2008 Pierce rescue truck. Caledonia Fire District purchased both trucks with voter approval and at little cost to the taxpayers, just a two cent increase per thousand of assessed property value.

   The fire district paid $579,000 cash for the new pumper/tanker 114 using existing capital reserve funds. The fire district financed the $350,000 rescue truck 119 with a ten year bond. Caledonia Fire District voters approved both purchases in June 2007.

   "At that time, the fire district anticipated an increase of 16 cents per thousand, but after adopting the 2008 budget, the increase was reduced to just two cents per thousand," explained Caledonia Fire District Chairperson James Dutton, adding, "We were able to deliver a substantial savings to the taxpayers of the fire district."

   The pumper/tanker replaces two vehicles, a 1993 Pierce pumper/rescue and a 1988 Freightliner tanker that the fire district sold for $53,000 to Command Fire Apparatus in Lancaster, PA. There is interest in the pumper but a final sale has not been finalized. The profits from both sales will be placed in reserve funds to finance future purchases.

   The state of the art firefighting equipment helps the department deal with the real problem of declining manpower available during the crucial daytime hours. The new pumper/tanker has an eight-man crew cab, carries 2,500 gallons of water, pumps 1,500 gallons per minute and also carries a 3,000 gallon portable pond making it possible to set up an additional water supply while more equipment is responding. It will be the first truck out to fire calls, Dutton said.

   "With this type of manpower and equipment, we will be able to make a safe, effective attack on fires," he explained.

   Both of the new vehicles will also benefit neighboring districts that rely on mutual aid, especially Mumford, who is also dealing with the same manpower problems during the day.

   "We will continue to be diligent in the spending of your tax dollars and purchase only what is essential to continue to provide efficient and safe fire and rescue operations. We would like to thank the residents of the Caledonia FD for your continued support," commented Dutton.