WHEATLAND — The Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of its new ladder truck May 23.
Wheatland VFD Foundation Treasurer Chase Christensen said the department has been looking for an aerial apparatus for about two or three years. He said the new truck, purchased for $20,000 from the city of Newcastle, has an 80-foot ladder and it pumps 1,500 gallons of water per minute.
“We hope to replace a city pumper with it, depending on what the city wants,” Christensen said.
Christensen said Missouri Basin Power Project donated the $20,000 purchase price, and the foundation contributed $5,000 “that was all people’s donations.” He said the additional money is needed to outfit the truck with necessary components.
Christensen said the foundation is also counting on its gun raffle and fireworks stand to raise money to outfit the truck. He said the foundation’s fireworks stand will open June 21 in the parking lot of I-25 Pit Stop.
Christensen said the foundation’s Gun-a-Month raffle costs $50 per ticket, but each ticket affords the bearer 12 chances to win guns throughout the year. One ticket is drawn every month for a gun, and every other month a ticket is drawn for a gift certificate to Teel Gunworks. Only 500 tickets are being sold.
Drawings start in July for a different gun prize every month. The following guns are scheduled to be raffled: