Postville Fire Department receives new tanker

The Postville Fire Department recently received a new tanker/tender to replace it’s old 1985 unit. The old unit was bought used and has 195,000 wear and tear miles on it. The older unit has sustained some break downs over the last few years which made it worrisome to drive. 

The Incident Command Staff obtained permission from the Rural Fire Protection District and City of Postville to pursue purchasing this new truck, which should last well over 30 years. The committee looked at ways to have the truck built to not only shuttle water in emergencies, but also to carry additional equipment, as well as still being able to provide area first graders (future firefighters) safe fire truck rides during Fire Prevention Week.

The City of Postville and The Rural Fire Protection District each try and put $10,000.00 a year aside for future apparatus or equipment purchases. However, with the rising costs of general operations each year and property valuations dropping, it is becoming more and more difficult to do so. 

The final price tag on the new tanker was $243,618.00, with both the City and Rural each providing $50,000 from set aside CD’s. $50,000.00 was also borrowed in order to complete the project. 

The Postville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., also received contributions in the amount of $14,500.00 from the Allamakee County Community Foundation, $13,000.00 from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation, $6,000.00 from the Arlin Faulk Foundation, $5,000.00 from the Area Ambulance Service, based on the disbursement of the Healthcare Foundation. The Postville Volunteer Fire Department contributed the remaining balance of $36,618.00 from its charitable contributions from our annual fund drives, memorials, and other contributions. 

The new tanker was built by Toyne, Inc. out of Breda, Iowa, and looks similar to our last pumper/tanker purchased in 2012 which cost $310,000.00. At that time Chief Jeff Bohr obtained a $210,000.00 AFG-FEMA grant.

Chief Bohr said, “If anyone has any questions or concerns in regards to the new apparatus, please do not hesitate to contact the Chief or anyone on the fire department.”

“We hope that the community will continue to support the volunteer fire department to better serve and protect the public as best we can,” said Chief Bohr. “You can also view the new tanker in October during our open house. Again, the Postville Volunteer Fire Department appreciates all the support it receives from the community.”

The Postville Herald

The Postville Herald
335 N. Lawler
Postville, IA 52162
Ph. (563) 864-3333
Fax 1-800-340-0805
Email: nadine@postvilleherald.com

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