Boone Co. Fire reveals new trucks

The Boone County Fire Protection District unveiled a pair of new trucks Friday.

A $14 million bond issue passed in 2014 is helping the department fund the purchases.

The fire district will buy a total of 15 new trucks and tankers for about $5 million.

Officials said the bond measure will also help fund the renovation of several stations.

The upgrades cover stations in Hallsville, Sturgeon, Centralia, Rocheport, Harrisburg, Midway, Station 14 in south Columbia, and Dripping Springs.

Three new brush trucks will be part of the fleet, which will make a big impact.

“Medical calls, which is about 70% of what we do, so these engines are there for structure fires and for rescues from vehicle accidents, and those types of things. On your every day run of the mill medical call, we run brush trucks, which is more efficient and more effective for us,” said Gale Blomenkamp of the Boone Co. Fire Protection District.

Officials also want to add a station off Route HH near Brown Station Road and replace Station 13 off Route E north of the Columbia Mall.