After five years of planning, two years of funding debates and nearly a year of waiting, the Athens Fire Department finally received its new fire truck yesterday.
“This is a culmination of five years of putting this project together,” said Athens Fire Chief Bob Troxel. “It’s nice it’s finally here. We’re excited.”
Athens City Council approved purchasing the $1.1 million ladder truck last February and spent months debating how to fund the purchase. Council petitioned Ohio University to contribute to the truck, and in September, OU committed $250,000 — $50,000 per year for five years — to help pay for the new truck.
“OU certainly helped us. They paid for a fourth of the cost,” Troxel said. “It’s really nice because, in previous years, we didn’t see much help. Recently, though, we’ve seen a tremendous amount of OU participation in fire issues, and this is a great opportunity for us.”
City Council approved a loan of $400,000 to help pay for the city’s portion of the ladder truck, while OU plans to use real-estate revenues to fund their annual
payments.
The fire department will take three days training with the truck. The firefighters then will spend the next few weeks driving and familiarizing themselves with the truck, said Troxel. The truck will begin responding to emergencies in about three weeks.
“Safety needs to be a top priority,” said Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis. “The truck is one of the ways we are making that happen.”
Watts said the new truck will not only help keep both Athens residents and OU students safe but also strengthen the relationship between town and gown.
“This is a great opportunity to protect life, with the city and university working together,” Watts said. “This truck ensures the fire department has the tools they need to protect the university.”
Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, said he agreed that the city needs the truck.
“The city definitely needs it. It’s about as good a truck as any,” Risner said. “That’s why it cost half a million dollars.”
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