Benton Fire Chief Shane Cockrum expressed the department's immediate need for an aerial truck as a matter preparedness for a major fire.
Mayor Fred Kondritz gave Cockrum the opportunity to speak about the department's need, following a presentation from Rick O'Hara of Smeall Aparatus, the company who has provided cost estimates for the truck.
A town hall meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. today at city hall to get further input on the fire truck issue ahead of a special council meeting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday when Fire and Police Commissioner Don Storey is expected to bring the issue up for a vote. Commissioners have discussed the fire department's needs for about a month with no action taken.
Cockrum said the aerial truck is necessary to fight structure fires for two story homes/businesses, downtown structures and schools. The closest aerial truck available to Benton now is in West City — a 60-foot extension. West Frankfort's aerial truck is out of service and Benton's truck is also out of service.
The city is considering a 75-foot stock truck, according to O'Hara, who said a model will be rolling off the production line in four weeks. He anticipated another stock model would not be available for another six weeks after that date.
"This (truck) would allow us to fight fires and save lives," Cockrum said. "We feel right now the citizens of Benton feel naked and upset if we don't have proper equipment … an aerial truck today is not a luxury, it's a necessity. It's an important purchase and it needs to be done."
Cockrum said the most recent ISO (Insurance Service Organization) fire rating for the city of Benton is four — with one being the best.
"That means there are about 150 better than ours and another 1,500 or so that are worse off," he said.
Cockrum said the city has purchased a new truck about every 10 years since 1975 — the last being purchased in 2005. He said the life expectancy on the proposed new aerial truck is about 25 to 30 years.
Commissioner Dennis Miller received approval for several items related to the move to the new city hall building on South Main Street.
Universal Moving Solutions was hired for a 10-hour period at an estimated cost of $1,240; an estimate of $3,800 to fix light ballista and fixtures on the main floor was approved with funds being derived from a Republic Services community fund grant; and a fire-protected gun safe will be purchased from Rural King at a price of $800 to store treasurer records.
Miller said the city recently received an Illinois Public Risk Fund grant of $6,774 and he suggested using those funds to pay off NovaCom (telephone) and Security Specialists. A portion of those funds will also be used to purchase tactical police vests from Thin Line Public Safety Equipment, based in Zeigler. The 11 vests are equipped with two steel plates and will stop any ammunition, except a long rife, it was reported.
