The Associated Press via The Bismarck Tribune
GREAT BEND, N.D. — Firefighters in the southeastern North Dakota town of Great Bend have sacrificed their retirement funds to help pay for a new fire truck.
“We stuck a fair amount of money into (the old truck) every year,” said Fire Chief Tim Fenske. “It was just old and slow and not the most reliable.”
Firefighters in the town of 100 people decided to use their $30,000 pension fund to help pay for a new, $90,000 truck. Almost all of the department’s 30 members gave up their retirement money.
“Everyone kind of realized that it was one of the only ways to get a decent truck,” Fenske said.
“We could have gotten a cheaper one ... but everyone knew it was going to be a truck we’ll keep for a long time,” he said.
The department also used gambling revenue from two area bars and money raised through its annual fish fry.
Its members hope to bring more than just better fire protection.
They also are working to lower the insurance rating of homeowners in the town about 55 miles south of Fargo.
Copyright 2010 The Bismarck Tribune