Voters to decide on fire equipment upgrades in Cooper County

The Cooper County Fire Protection District is asking residents to vote ‘Yes’ on a more than $1.9 million dollar bond issue on the upcoming April ballot.

Chief David Gehm said a majority of the money would go toward building two new fire stations near Bunceton and Lone Elm. This would put a station within five miles of every home in Cooper County.

“We need to protect our citizens and the people passing through our community, but we have to do it safely.”

Gehm said there are three trucks that are more than 40 years old that are becoming dangerous to drive.

“The biggest issue with our old engines is they don’t start when they need to start,” he said. “We have surplus engines, but it takes time to go get them. That’s a possible delay that may make the difference between life and death.”

Division Chief Ryan Reuter said it’s important the bond issue is passed on Tuesday, so the protection district can continue to provide services to the community.

“We’ve had some equipment that when we arrive on scene it wouldn’t function even though it might have worked the day before.”

Gehm said they need to replace one fire engine, two tanker trucks and several brush trucks. He said if the bond issue doesn’t pass on Tuesday, the fire protection district may have to resort to a tax increase in the future to help pay for necessary upgrades.

“It’s constant upkeep,” he said. “Our newest truck is 10 years old and FPA (Fire Protection Association) guidelines suggest you plan on retiring them after 15 to 20 years.”

“We’re all volunteers,” said Reuter. “These people leave their families to go help someone else in need and we want to make sure they get back just as safe. We don’t want it to be because of a mechanical breakdown with our equipment.”

The last time Cooper County voters approved a bond for the fire protection district was back in 2005.