Village officials visit commissioners seeking funds for new ladder truck

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 By Thomas Clapper

CCM Reporter

Carroll County Commissioners were visited by Carrollton Village Administrator Mark Wells and Carrollton Fire Department Chief Shane Thomas at its Monday, July 22 meeting. 

Wells and Thomas approached commissioners to make their case asking for help to bring Carroll County its first ladder fire truck. 

“The village is undertaking a project which is one of the biggest purchases certainly since I have been here,” said Wells. He explained it was a ladder fire truck and the investment is $1.4 million. 

Thomas said standard new fire engines are in the $900,000 range and for a little more money they can get the ladder truck. 

“For the money difference it seems like the next logical step for us,” said Thomas. “Around 70% of our calls are outside of the village of Carrollton and assisting townships throughout the county.” 

He explained the closest ladder truck is Minerva and they do assist Carrollton FD with it, but it is 30 years old and this one would have a longer ladder. The truck would be helpful for all of the steel roofs and high buildings in town, as well as other versatile rescue operations that may come up including extending over a body of water or even going overtop a low level fire. 

Commissioners asked about grants. Thomas replied he has scoured the grants available and there are none for a fire truck. Wells has been looking as well. 

There could be an $80,000 reduction if action is taken quickly and paying in full in advance.

“There is a two-week window right now to lock in a truck that will be two years out,” said Thomas. “These trucks have long waiting periods and this one is already made, but it will still be two years. It could be 4 years or so if they had to completely build one.”

Commissioners asked if the fire department was planning to sell an old truck and Thomas said they are selling Engine 12 which is a 2006 model and worth between $100,000-$150,000. Additionally, a couple hundred thousand could be used from the fire budget. 

“This truck would be the first one out on fire calls,” said Thomas.

“One thing I do want to say is commissioners have been supporting first responders in background in many different ways and it was disheartening to hear a council person say we have been off the hook for fire,” said Commissioner Robert “Bob’ Wirkner.

“We continue to assist in ways the average person is not aware of. We provided 165 MARCS pagers and also provided funds for the initial purchase of the CAD system for 911 as well as maintaining it. Furthermore, there are more than one fire department in the county. Similar with loaves and fishes, there are more than one in the county so if we supported one food bank and not the other, there would be problems.”

“I fully understand and agree with that,” said Thomas. “The situation is how to get a ladder truck in Carroll County and right now we are the best option to get one in the county. I will go out and get letters of endorsement from other fire chiefs in the county.”

Commissioners agreed this is a good idea. 

“To aid in the decision making would be evidence that it will support all the citizens in Carroll County and it would be helpful to know the fire chiefs would not harbor any resentment,” said Wirkner. 

“I just want to say that about the newspaper article, I agree people aren’t informed or do not have an understanding about what commissioners have done for first responders inside the county,” said Wells. “We appreciate the fact that the fire dept. has gotten even better, and they all do a great job and will continue to support area fire departments. I was out of town, but I think the intent of the comment regarding village council is that the commissioners got out of the fire business, specifically,” said Wells.

Commissioners requested letters of support from the county fire chiefs and a detailed letter by Thomas explaining in detail how the truck will assist the county. 

The request was tabled.

Later in the meeting commissioners agreed to seek an opinion from the prosecutor regarding a potential donation to the fire department.

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