The Sac City Fire Department’s efforts to replace their aging ladder truck received a huge boost on Monday after an anonymous donor contributed $100,000 to their cause. The department’s current ladder truck is nearly 50 years old, and attempts to replace it began almost a decade ago. A new ladder truck can cost as much as $750,000. Rather than spend that amount, the fire department opted to purchase a used truck from West Des Moines for $60,500 and refurbish it, bringing the total cost to over $110,000. Fire Chief, Dale Duncan, says his crew was stunned when they heard of the generosity.
The new truck will make the department’s job much easier and safer. The Sac City area has a large number of agricultural buildings which Duncan says can be difficult to deal with in emergencies.
The donor requested to remain unidentified but did specify the gift was in memory of Grace Green, a life-long Sac City resident who passed away in April. Duncan did not have the opportunity to thank their benefactor in person, but he did have a message for them.
Duncan expects the refurbished truck to be delivered by Sept. 1 and ready to use soon after.
