On the heels of turning 225, the Lexington Fire Department is seeking help to purchase a $1,732,062 aerial ladder. Chief Ty Dickerson is inviting residents to donate tax-deductible contributions to help offset the cost.
“The Lexington Fire Department recently celebrated its 225th Anniversary of service to Our Community,” the department writes on Facebook. “We are proud to have served our neighbors in their times of need for these many years. Whether it is something as simple as cutting a stuck ring off a finger, rescuing a dog caught in a storm drain, battling back the raging flames of a fire, or our most common responses to your medical emergencies, we strive to always be there for the citizens and visitors of Our Community- Lexington, Rockbridge, and Buena Vista.
“There have been many evolutions of the LFD over those years as we change with the times to meet your needs, expectations, and the current regulations. Equipment and vehicles are a part of those changes and 2022 finds us at the point in time that we must replace our most expensive vehicle. Our current Aerial Ladder Truck is now 24 years old and nearing the end of its service life. This Ladder Truck has served us well.
“I am writing to you today to invite you to participate in the purchase of this new Aerial Ladder Truck. While we love helping others and plan to continue to do so for the next 225 years and beyond, we are now seeking your support. We have on order a new $1,732,062.00 Ladder Truck. This Aerial Ladder Truck is an investment in maintaining top-level fire and rescue services to our community. This new Ladder Truck will not only provide our community with direct service via its equipment it is also a key ingredient in LFD’s rating from the Insurance Service Office (ISO)* that helps to keep your property insurance rates lower.
“On behalf of the entire Lexington Fire Department, I invite you to join us in the purchase of this Aerial Ladder Truck with your tax-deductible contribution. Checks can be made payable to:
Lexington Fire Department
Attn: Ladder Truck Campaign
c/o Treasurer, City of Lexington
300 East Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
“We appreciate all of your past support and thank those individuals, businesses, and institutions who contribute to this special campaign. All donations to this campaign will be used exclusively towards the cost of this new apparatus. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this invitation and please contact me with your questions, if any.
Sincerely,
Ty Dickerson
Fire Chief
“*An ISO fire rating is a score provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the Insurance Services Office. The score reflects how prepared a community is for fires. While it mainly focuses on the local fire departments and water supply, other factors contribute to an area’s score. Only 30 fire departments in Virginia have an ISO Class 3 rating. Only 29 departments have a Class 1 or 2 rating. Lexington Fire Department has an ISO rating of 3.”