Published: April 17, 2009 03:00 pm      

Naples FD to get new pumper truck

Fires and fire trucks were the first items covered at Monday’s Grady County Commissioners meeting.

First, the board approved the purchase of a new cab and chassis for a one-ton 4X4 for the Pioneer Fire Department from the state contract. According to Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson, the lowest state bid was for a Chevy at a cost of $22,313.

“I think we should do it now, because we might not be able to afford it six months from now,” said District One Commissioner Mike Lennier of the purchase.

Next, Thompson told the board about a Naples Fire Department tanker truck that was severely damaged during one of the many fires that raged across the state last Thursday.

“A new pumper tank truck will be ready by the end of May, but since Naples has no water hydrants, they rely on tankers for every call, so the truck will eventually have to be replaced,” said Thompson.

GCEMA Assistant Director Paulette Nicholas gave an overview of last Thursday’s fires. In Rush Springs, two homes and 500 acres burned, for a loss of about $75,000, one home, three barns and one storage building burned in Bradley and one home in Pocasset burned on Friday.

“Luckily, we didn’t lose as many homes as we thought we would,” said Thompson.

The board then voted to approve a resolution to invite Grady County school districts to become part of the Grady County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

“At first, they weren’t interested, but they can’t get FEMA grants without being part of the plan, so I think they’re going to come on board,” said District Three Commissioner Jack Porter.

Next, Lennier moved to approve a claim for Cobb Engineering of Oklahoma City on the Washita River overflow project at a cost of $12,851.39. While the primary bridge over the Washita River north of Verden is complete and open to traffic, a secondary overflow bridge nearby has collapsed and will soon be under construction.

The board then approved the appointment of Jim Allen to the Grady County Industrial Authority Board for District Two, replacing long-time board member Weldon Foster.

There was no action taken on the county road action report.

Finally, the board voted to declare surplus equipment for District One and the Grady County Treasurer’s Office and to participate in the PSO of Oklahoma Model Cities Program.