The Powerball lottery jackpot and excitement continues to grow.
It’s estimated that by the next drawing it could reach a record $1.3 billion. And while the odds of winning are low, it didn’t discourage us from wondering what a fire department would do with that kind of money.
We asked our readers how they would spend the Powerball earnings if their department won the jackpot. Here are some of their responses.
And if you haven’t already, what would you do for your department if you cashed in on more than a billion smackers?
1.“Rebuild the homes of families who have lost theirs from a fire, buy new cars from the families who were in accidents and maybe a shiny new white ladder truck.” — Michelle McCooey
2.“Would have a meeting with all department members and decide how best to use the money to help the community, the department and surrounding departments. There could be so much good to be done for all.” — Janis Bernd
3.“Get all of our equipment that’s old and outdated replaced, put in storm shelters and get all the departments in the area what they need. After that, I’d set up college funds for future firefighters in our district and programs for the schools in our district on safety.” — Francis Rose
4.“As a small town, combination department, the interest alone could easily fund all of our department’s operations at twice our current budget. Plus, we could completely staff a paid engine company 24/7.” — Chase D. Waggoner
5.“New super-station, hire all the paid on-calls as full-time, pay good salary and have the best training program in the nation.” — Tim Waterson
6.“I would take care of all my guys and girls. I would also donate some to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Then after all of that, it would be vacation time.” — Jeff Gray
7.“I’d buy the Detroit Fire Department new equipment, trucks and bullet resistant vests. I would also rebuild new fire stations that are slowly being condemned in Detroit.” — Scott Hawkins
8.“A big holiday. Any islands in need a volunteer fire department that can supply all of its own gear?” — Kim Morton
9.“I think a new tender and type 5 would be in order.” — Donald Carruthers
10.“Replace our 40-year-old station and our 30-year-old apparatus.” — Robert Reid
