2003 February Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hot Hews From the Hugo Fire Department 2002 was a record year for the Hugo Fire within the next three years: a 1974 tanker,a 1974 Department,responding to a total of 282 calls— pumper,and a 1986 rescue truck. All of these 189 rescue and 93 fire calls. Unfortunately,a vehicles are inadequate for Hugo's current needs record$2.5 million property loss was also sus- and require frequent and often expensive mainte- tained by the City. Hugo Fire Chief Jim Compton nance. Compton and his Department have exten- points to an example of two multiple-unit town sively researched replacement options. "We are homes that were lost,in part because Hugo had to requesting a 100-foot aerial pumper platform that rely on another fire department to bring in the will allow fire fighters to safely reach steeper necessary ladder truck to help fight the fire. pitched residential roofs which are unsafe with conventional ladders," he states, "along with larg- "Most Fire Departments have a 10-year replace- er commercial industrial buildings that are becom- ment schedule," Compton explains. "Vehicles are ing more prevalent in the City." This vehicle automatically replaced after this period of would use a rescue basket attached to the plat- time because of safety and maintenance form for removing victims. Compton goes on issues." Because of budgetary constraints, to explain that the rescue basket is a safer however,most of the fire department alternative for both fire victims and fire vehicles in the City of Hugo are much fighters because it avoids the need to slide older. Compton states, "Before deliv- down or do a fireman's carry down a lad- ery of our new tanker in December,the der. The preferred replacement for the newest piece of equipment in the station 1986 ambulance style rescue truck is a was a 1990 pumper truck." multi-use heavy rescue vehicle,which would Residents are be able to hold all heavy rescue equipment The Department made two major equip- and also function as a command station for a welcome to ment purchases in 2002. A new 2000-gal- large disaster,a rehabilitation station for fire Ion tanker was delivered in December, fighters and victims, and an air-refueling sta- c 111 and replacing a 1967 1500-gallon tanker that had been tion for the fire fighters'air packs. converted from a City dump truck into a water arrange a hauler. Included in the City's 2002 Capitol Compton welcomes residents'questions regarding tour of the Improvements Program,the cost of the tanker was equipment or the operation of the Fire $176,000. A 1997 Jeep was purchased for Department. "They are welcome to give us a call Hugo Fire $15,000,including the equipment necessary to and come tour the facility,"he offers. Compton convert it to a grass fire truck. It replaces a 1954 also expressed his appreciation to the community Department. military jeep that was on loan from the Minnesota for their support—including monetary donations, DNR. the booya,aluminum can drive, Good Neighbor Days,and the Toys for Tots drive—and to the Compton hopes to replace three more vehicles City staff and Council for their support as well. Remember toRec Americans use 85 million tons of paper each year, ed curbside as part of your weekly trash collec- amounting to about 680 pounds per person,and tion. A recycling container is available from your 40%of all solid waste consists of paper prod- garbage hauler or by calling City Hall at 65 1- ucts. Recycling a four-foot stack of paper 762-6300. Those items which can be saves one mature tree from being har- recycled include newspapers,alu- vested,and each ton of recycled paper minum beverage cans,tin cans, saves 17 trees. glass jars and bottles,corrugated cardboard,glossy magazines,and car In Hugo,items for recycling are collect- and tractor batteries. 1