KINGSLAND - The Kingsland City Council approved a motion to spend up to $55,000 to buy a used fire truck that will serve as a back-up pumper for the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Department.
Fire Chief Tevin Russell told the city council during its regular monthly meeting last Thursday that the fire department is currently down to one pumper truck that is fully operational. Should something happen to that truck, he said they would be unable to respond to a fire call.
After the meeting, Russell said their newest pumper truck is a 2007 model but the back-up pumper was a 1978 model. The rest of the fire department’s fleet of tanker trucks were late 1970’s models or older.
Kingsland Mayor Karen Wiscaver said the fire department’s ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating is at risk if the department does not have the necessary equipment to maintain its current rating. The ISO rates fire departments on the level of training and equipment they have to respond to fires. That rating influences what insurance companies charge for homeowner’s insurance - the lower the rating, the lower the insurance premiums.
Mitchell said the Kingsland Fire Department currently has a 9 ISO rating. The next highest rating is 10, which is the same rating as an area without a fire department.
Wiscaver told the council that she visited with city office manager Wendy James about whether the city could afford the second fire truck and she said it could after reviewing the city’s books. “We’re doing good with our money and we can afford it,” the mayor said.
There was some discussion about possibly repairing the back-up pumper truck, but Russell said most of the parts are now obsolete.
Russell said he will begin searching for the second truck immediately.
Four-Way Stop Tabled
There was also discussion about possibly putting up a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Third and Maple Street due to speeding traffic. After some discussion, the council voted to table the matter.
Wiscaver said she received a  …