Seward Kicks the Tires on New Oneonta Fire Truck

ONEONTA, 10/30/15 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) and Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) today joined City of Oneonta officials to unveil the city’s new fire truck.  Senator Seward and Assemblyman Magee each secured $250,000 in state funding to assist in the purchase of the new $1.1 million ladder truck. 

Senator Seward said, “It is imperative that our first responders are properly equipped – to protect life and property and to ensure their own safety.  This new fire truck checks all the boxes and the state funding eases the burden on the city budget and local property taxpayers.” 

Assemblyman Magee said, “The City of Oneonta Fire Department is filled with many brave individuals who risk their lives to ensure our safety.  It is with great pleasure that I can assure them they will be working with state of the art equipment to further theirs and our well-being.”

City of Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig said, “As a result of the bipartisan efforts of Senator Seward and Assemblyman Bill Magee, the City of Oneonta has been able to replace an outdated fire truck.  The safety of our citizens is our number one responsibility.  With our multi-story college dormitories and senior housing structures, this is an essential piece of equipment for our firefighters.  I say thank you to both Senator Seward and Assemblyman Magee for making the safety of the residents of Oneonta a priority.”

City of Oneonta Fire Chief Patrick Pidgeon said, “When an emergency call comes in and our crews are dispatched they are never certain exactly what they will encounter, so it is vital that they are equipped to face all circumstances.  The city’s new ladder truck will be a major asset to our firefighters’ ability to keep the public safe as they meet the many challenges and dangers they encounter.  Senator Seward and Assemblyman Magee have long backed our efforts and this is just another example of their steadfast support.”

The new 2015 ladder truck includes a 100 foot heavy-duty ladder tower, a 2,000 gallon per minute water pump, and a fully enclosed six-person cab.  The truck was purchased from Ferrara Fire Apparatus near Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is replacing a 1992 model.

The city fire department serves the City of Oneonta, the Town of Oneonta’s Oneonta Fire District, and provides mutual aid to a number of area volunteer departments.

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