Fire dept. gets new rig, no money to equip it

ST. MARY, Mo. — A fire department in Missouri got a new fire truck but the city can't afford to equip it.

KFVS12.com reported that the fire department hopes a grant will help cover the cost.

St. Mary (Mo.) Assistant Fire Chief Frank Ullman said the department would like to stock their new fire truck with lifesaving equipment, but they can't afford it. But even with a grant, the city will struggle to allocate the match.

"Essentially, this grant, even though our part is only 5 percent, would completely wipe out our annual income," David Woods, St. Mary's city clerk, said. "The aldermen are apprehensive about doing that because they don't want to spend all our money. They want to make sure they have money to operate or for repairs and things that come up during the year."

Chief Ullman said the new equipment is critical and would be used for buying compatible equipment for mutual aid calls.

"When we all go to the new system, all of the county fire departments then we can intertwine with each other when we are at a fire," Chief Ullman said.

He said the department has a few plans to help cover the cost.

"If we can sell our old truck and get it out of here and get the money off of that, that will help out. Plus, other grants to hopefully succeed on that.”

But Woods said it still won't cover the total cost.

"Last year they operated $35,000 in the red, the year before that, $4,000 in the positive, before that $15,000 in the red, so they are not self-sufficient, the city has to come in and help with our general funds," he said.

A board meeting is scheduled to decide if the city should apply for the grant.