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CUTFD Aerial Fire Truck





Fire Department Aerial Truck Fundraiser FAQs Q. Why does the fire department need an aerial platform truck?
    A. In short, this apparatus would allow for safer access to building fires from above without putting firefighters at risk of floors or roofs collapsing onto or out from underneath of them. It also allows for safer and quicker roof access to provide ventilation while operating at fires. The most important reason, though, is that it provides the capability of rescuing victims from 3 and 4 story buildings; a necessity that the fire department currently has very limited capabilities of doing.

    An aerial truck would also better protect our bigger commercial properties (such as Elkay), the growing buildings at Culver Academies (3 and 4 story dormitories), large lake homes, our multi-family dwellings such as the Culver Cove, and Harbor condos, and our older historic buildings like our Main Street downtown area and the churches.

    It is also important to note that the type of aerial apparatus that the fire department is considering is a multi- function truck. It would replace a pumper that is 25 years old and will be able to function in the capacity of a pumper. It will have a water tank, a pump, and hoses in addition to the aerial device and a greater complement of ground ladders.


Q. Are the department members trained on this type of vehicle?
    A. There will be a core group of firefighters that would be trained to operate the truck, and they would be ones typically responsible for driving and operating it. This is no different than any other piece of specialized equipment that we operate. Multiple department members are also full-time firefighters on other departments already trained on this type of vehicle.


Q. Where is the nearest aerial currently?
    A. The closest aerial is in Plymouth, and it is a 20-minute drive from their station to ours, this accounts for driving normal highway speeds in a passenger vehicle, which is not realistic for such a large and heavy truck.

    Considering dispatch and turnout times, a 30 minute or more delay in response is too much when lives and property are in danger.


Q. Why is this purchase a good investment for Culver and Union Township area residents, businesses, and organizations?
    A. It is important to keep in mind that we need to replace an aging engine as it is.

    Two neighboring towns (Plymouth and Knox) have purchased new engines over the past year or two, both at a price tag of $650,000.

    Considering this number, an increase in cost of $200,000 to $300,000 could give us the capability of two apparatus (and engine and a ladder) and provide us with the tools to address situations that we could very realistically be faced with in the future.

    It will keep our firefighters safer and will save lives and property over the next 25 years that it is in use in Culver and Union Township.

    To date, over $135,000 has been pledged or donated to this cause from Culver and Union Township residents, businesses, and organizations.


2018 - Jun 5 - Culver-Union Township Fire Department Asking for Help to Fund Truck Purchase
    The Culver-Union Township Fire Department is asking for the public’s help in obtaining funding for an aerial platform fire truck.

    A letter submitted by Fire Chief Terry Wakefield explains the need for the fire truck as the current fleet is incapable of assisting with rescues from buildings that are more than two stories tall. He says aerial trucks have an advantage of giving firefighters the ability to safely rescue victims from two and three story homes, fight structure fires from above, and pump water down on a fire from a safer location.

    The cost of the trucks are anywhere from $850,000 to $1.2 million. The aerial fire truck that Wakefield believes would be the best fit for the department is $1 million. It would replace a 1993 pumper truck. Wakefield hopes to make the transaction in 2019.

    Wakefield also comments that Union Township officials and Culver town officials usually budget around $300,000 for the replacement of a fire truck every five years. They will be adding to that amount to help in this quest, but it won’t be enough to cover the total cost of this particular truck.

    To help bridge the gap, the Culver-Union Township Fire Department is asking for pledges to determine the feasibility of the purchase. Wakefield notes that charitable contributions to governmental units are tax-deductible as long as they are for public purpose.

    For more information, or to donate, call 574-842-3140.


2018 - Aug 22 - Culver-Union Township Fire Department Continues Fundraising Quest for Aerial Truck
    The Culver-Union Township Fire Department continues to raise funds for a needed aerial truck.

    As previously reported, Fire Chief Terry Wakefield expressed the need for the truck as there isn’t the capacity of the current fleet to perform rescues from a building that is more than two stories tall.

    The aerial fire truck that Wakefield believes would be the best fit for the department is $1 million. It would replace a 1993 pumper truck.

    Wakefield hopes to make the transaction in 2019.

    According to Wakefield, Union Township officials and Culver town officials usually budget around $300,000 for the replacement of a fire truck every five years. They will be adding to that amount to help in this quest, but it won’t be enough to cover the total cost of this particular truck.

    A work session is planned soon to discuss funding for the truck.

    To help bridge the gap, the Culver-Union Township Fire Department is asking for pledges to determine the feasibility of the purchase. Wakefield notes that charitable contributions to governmental units are tax-deductible as long as they are for public purpose.

    For more information, or to donate, call 574-842-3140.


2018 - Sep 27, - Culver Union Township Fire Department Aerial Truck Fundraiser
    The Culver Union Township Fire Department is pleased to announce that we are launching a public fundraiser October 5th through November 18th, to coincide with national fire prevention week October 7 – 13th, with the goal of raising a total of $200,000 in donations by Sunday, November 18th.

    A departmental open house will be held on Friday, October 5th from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Culver Union Township Fire Station, 508 E Lakeshore Drive in Culver to kick off the fundraiser and provide a vehicle demonstration for the public and Culver Boys and Girls Club.


    The fire department has been discussing the need for an aerial platform truck with key stakeholders over the last several months, and has experienced a positive response so far, with over $130,000 of the $200,000 pledged or donated from individuals and organizations to date.

    With regards to the need for this type of truck in our area, the nearest similar truck is in Plymouth, and would have a 25-35-minute response time to fires in the Culver and Union Township area.

    This type of truck allows the department to provide safe rescue from three story or higher buildings, something we cannot currently do. For example, if a fire starts on the lower level of three or four-story building, and residents are trapped on the upper levels, we currently have no reliable way of reaching them.

    Aerial trucks also have the advantage of giving firefighters the ability to fight structure fires from above, pumping water down towards the fire from a safer location.

    An aerial platform truck with a pump installed would also improve our ability to fight fires from above structures on lots with smaller setbacks between houses.

    We are open to donations from individuals or funding agreements with partner organizations running anywhere from one year to five years, and we hope to begin the process of ordering the truck in early 2019.

    Charitable contributions to governmental units such as the Culver Union Township Fire Department are tax-deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code so long as the donations are for a public purpose.

    Donations can be made at town hall in person Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by check to Town Hall, 200 E Washington Street. Please write “fire truck donation” on the memo line. Online donations can be made by going to "paygov. us" and selecting make a payment, Town of Culver, Fire Truck Donation under payment type (online donations will incur a 3% card processing fee)

    Donor levels:
      Platinum Sponsors $50,000 or higher: One available, one pledge received
      Gold Sponsors $20,000 to $50,000: Two available
      Silver Sponsors $5,000 to $19,999: Two available, two pledges received Bronze Sponsor $1,000 to $4,999: Six available, two pledges received Friends of CUTFD $10 to $999: no restrictions


    Gold and Platinum sponsors will receive recognition via plaque on the fire truck itself. Silver and Bronze sponsors will be recognized on a plaque at the Culver Fire Station. All donors will be recognized online via Facebook and in print upon purchase of the vehicle, unless anonymity is requested.

    The Culver Fire Department would also like to offer a special thank you to
    Culver Academies,
    Dixie Becker,
    Duke Downey,
    Joe and Noreen Faulkner,
    Park N Shop,
    and several others for contributing to the fundraising effort early on. Regular updates on the fundraiser will be provided on the town website, Facebook page, and through updates to local media outlets.


2018 - Oct 18 - Culver-Union Township Fire Department Inching Closer to Fundraising Goal
    The Culver-Union Township Fire Department is getting closer to their goal of raising enough money to purchase an aerial fire truck.

    The fundraiser for the aerial platform fire truck will continue through Nov. 18. The truck will allow firefighters to provide a safe rescue from a three-story building or taller which is a task they can’t do with the current equipment in the fleet. The aerial truck would also give firefighters the ability to fight structure fires from above, pumping water downwards from a safer location.

    About $200,000 is needed for the fire truck. A portion of the cost is proposed in the 2019 budget, but not the entire amount.

    A little more than $60,000 is needed and contributions can be made in person at the Culver Town Hall Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET or send checks to the town hall with a note that it is a fire truck. Donations can also be made online at "paygov. us". For more information, call 574-842-3140.


2018 - Dec 1 - Fundraiser Ends for Culver-Union Township Fire Truck
    The fundraising effort for an aerial fire truck for the Culver-Union Township Fire Department has ended.

    October 31, 2018 · There are only 18 days left to donate to our Fire Truck Fundraiser. Because of the generous contributions of over 40 residents and organizations to date, we are quickly closing in on the $150,000 mark! $50,000 to go to meet our goal!


    Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist said the fundraiser tentatively gathered a little over $169,000 of the $200,000 needed. Leist and Fire Chief Terry Wakefield still have some outstanding pledges that need to be checked to present a final total to the council.

    Over 100 donations were made toward the effort.

    The council members agreed to allow Wakefield to reach out to committee members to provide specifications for the truck to the company which may narrow the focus of how much more money is needed to purchase the truck and necessary equipment. He hopes to get that done in January.

    As previously reported, Wakefield expressed the need for the truck as there isn’t the capacity of the current fleet to perform rescues from a building that is more than two stories tall.

    The aerial fire truck that Wakefield believes would be the best fit for the department is $1 million. It would replace a 1993 pumper truck. Wakefield hopes to make the transaction in 2019.


December 12, 2018 · 111 different individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have donated or pledged a total of $173,160 so far. Our goal was to reach $200,000 in donations, so we will continue to accept donations throughout 2018 and early 2019 until the goal is met.
2018 - Dec 13 - Money Continues Trickling In for Culver Fire Truck Fundraiser
    Culver’s fire truck fundraiser may officially be over, but Fire Chief Terry Wakefield says donations continue trickling in. “Money keeps coming in,” he told the town council last week, “and hopefully it still does until we can get a number on this vehicle, to get it pegged down so everybody knows what’s going on.” Wakefield said that process was set to begin last week.

    The Culver-Union Township Fire Department is looking to buy an aerial fire truck that would assist with rescues from buildings taller than two stories. At the official end of the fundraiser on November 18, about $169,000 had been raised, short of the $200,000 goal.

    The truck the department wanted to purchase would have an overall price tag of $1 million. The bulk of the funding would come from the Town of Culver and Union Township


2019 - Jan 28 - Work Session Scheduled for Culver Fire Truck Discussion
    The Culver Town Council members will hold a work session on Tuesday, Feb. 5 to receive an update on where fundraising stands on the potential purchase of a new aerial fire truck for the Culver-Union Township Fire Department.

    Firefighters are hoping to buy an aerial fire truck that would assist with rescues from buildings taller than two stories. At the official end of last year’s fundraiser in November, about $169,000 had been raised, short of the $200,000 goal. However, donations are still being accepted.

    Discussions with town businesses and manufacturers have continued and Fire Chief Terry Wakefield is anticipated to provide the council members with an update in next week’s work session.

    It begins at 5:30 p.m. ET at the Culver Town Hall at 200 E. Washington Street.


2019 - Feb 5 - Culver Town Council to Get Update Tonight on Efforts to Buy Aerial Fire Truck
    Culver officials will meet tonight to discuss plans for the purchase of an aerial fire truck. The Culver-Union Township Fire Department had hoped to raise $200,000 in donations, but only got about $169,000 by the end of the fundraiser in November.

    Money has continued coming in, though, and Fire Chief Terry Wakefield is expected to give an update to the town council tonight.

    The truck the department wanted to purchase would have an overall price tag of $1 million. The bulk of the funding would come from the Town of Culver and Union Township.

    Firefighters say they need an aerial truck to help with rescues from buildings taller than two stories.

    Tonight’s Culver Town Council work session starts at 5:30 EST at Culver Town Hall.


2019 - Mar 28 90 percent of goal met to obtain new aenal fire truck
    Help still needed

    CULVER - 90 percent of the funding for the new aerial fire truck has been raised or pledged.

    The new truck will enable firefighters to rescue more efficiently, especially multiple story structures.

    After much research and discussion, Culver Town Council approved joining the buying consortium HGACBuy, a national government procurement service. That partnership enabled the Fire Department to secure a firm price for the vehicle and eliminated vulnerability to pending price increases.

    Town Manager Jonathan Leist shared, "I continue to be amazed by the number of residents, visitors, organizations, and businesses with Culver ties who are willing to support public projects that benefit our community. I am proud of all the members of the Fire Department who have volunteered their time and effort over the last two years and build support for purchasingthe truck. I personally look forward to the day in the near future when we can provide safer rescue options and fire protection to buildings over two stories in Culver and Union Township."

    As of February 1, 2019, funds in the amount of $899,260 have been committed from the following;
      $200,00 from Town Fire,
      $20,000 from Town Non-Reverting Fire,
      $100,000 from Town Redevelopment,
      $50,000 from Town Rainy Day,
      $330,000 from Union Township Fire Budget,
      $0 from Union Township Rainy Day,
      $10,000 from Vehicle Sale,
      $68,260 from fundraising,
      $111,000 from pledges,
      $10,000 from additional fundraising (possible).


2020 - March 5, 2020 Fire truck’s cab work in progress. Photo provided by CUTFD The Culver-Union Township Fire Department’s new aerial fire truck is in the building process.

Fire Chief Ken VanDePutte said the cab is complete and it’s now in Kansas until April when the ladder will be installed. Following that, it will travel to Minnesota for body completion.
2019 - Apr 2 - Culver Town Council Continues Fire Truck Discussion
    The Culver Town Council members were updated on the purchase price of a new aerial fire truck for the Culver-Union Township Fire Department last week.

    Fire Chief Terry Wakefield said the quote for the Rosenbauer fire truck that meets the fire department’s specifications is almost $1,008,000. The quote, that includes discounts, is good until Wednesday, May 1.

    To date, all funds gathered to purchase the truck is about $900,000. That total includes money budgeted by the Culver Town Council, Union Township, Culver Academy and other private donations. There is a shortfall of about $108,000 before the total cost of the fire truck can be fully paid.

    No action was taken by the Culver Town Council members during their meeting on March 26, but action will likely be taken this month before time runs out on the quote acquired through the newly enacted contract with purchasing agent HGAC.


Platinum Sponsors $50,000 or higher: One available, one pledge received

Gold Sponsors $20,000 to $50,000: Two available

Silver Sponsors $5,000 to $19,999:
    Paul Liette Robert & Dianna Mitchel
    Culver Post of the VFW
    Carl & March Cook
    Robert Harrison
    Accumed Group
    Pulaski County Abstract Company
    Cheryl & Bill Rhodes
    Robert & Mary Tanguy
    Mary Ann Dutt


Bronze Sponsor $1,000 to $4,999: Six available,
    Jane & Bill Mitchell
    Ross & Ann Zimmeman
    Christy & Steve King
    David Haist
    James & DIane Green
    Jeffery Thomasson
    Timothy Lach
    Stacy & Robert Schmit
    Frederick & Mary Ford
    Family Vison Center


Friends of CUTFD $10 to $999: no restrictions
    Tracy Fox
    Henry Billsland
    David & Mary Baker
    The Culver Coffee Company
    John Browder
    Lydia Osborn
    Richard Swennumson
    Pam Baker
    Gary & Stephanie Peric
    Suzanne B King
    Jeffrey Stroman
    John Maclennan
    Kelly & Timothy Lynch
    Patrick Thomas
    Denis & Angelina Nelligan
    Eugene & Martha Tardy
    Patrick Thomas
    Charles & Roberta Kallstrom
    Ronald & Carol Remak
    William Steinhilber
    Signature Tree Company
    Michael & Elizabeth
    KellyWilliam Steinhilber
    Signature Tree Company
    Michael & Elizabeth Kelly
    Donald & Ann Snyder
    Richard & Terry Brantingham
    Raymond & Mary Ellen Farabaugh
    Richard & Louesa Foster
    Charann Thornburg
    Jean Triplet
    Cochran & Staadt Family
    Ruth Anne Keedy
    Verlin & Sylvia Shaffer
    Schoberg & Schoberg Inc.
    David & Jean Frackowiak
    Curt & Deborah Kelley
    Richard & Carol Troester
    Elizabeth Guthrie
    Marian Costello
    Gwen Moesel (Hoesel)
    Frederick & Linda Lane
    Elizabeth & Charles Ballew
    Emily Ryman
    Sarah & Tom Smith
    Scot & Nancy McKinnis
    Jennifer Luttrell
    Donita Clyne


Full donor list here

2019 - April 24 - Rosenbauer 100’ Viper Aerial. Sentinel Emergency Solutions Indiana Division: "Thank you and congratulations to Culver Fire Department."


2020 - Mar 5 - The Culver-Union Township Fire Department’s new aerial fire truck is in the building process.

Fire Chief Ken VanDePutte said the cab is complete and it’s now in Kansas until April when the ladder will be installed. Following that, it will travel to Minnesota for body completion.

The truck is expected to be delivered in June.


2020 - April 6 - The Culver-Union Township (IN) Fire Department has raised $235,000 as a local match for a new aerial fire apparatus for the department. The fundraiser began in 2018. According to officials, 166 supporters donated more than $150,000 with another $80,000 in pledges to be collected over teh next four years. - Fire Appratus Magazine . com

2020 - Apr 9- Culver Aerial Fire Truck fundraiser complete
    The Culver Union Township Fire Department ispleased to announce that the aerial truck fundraiser is complete!

    Thanks to the generous support of 166 individuals, families, businesses, and organizations in our community, we have already received over $150,000 in donations, with another $80,000 in pledges to be collected over the next four years, giving us a total of over $235,000 raised.

    Fundraising efforts officially started in September 2018, but one on one discussions with interested partners began even earlier with that. Discussions started in early 2018 about the benefits of having an aerial fire truck in the Culver Union Township Fire Department fleet of vehicles with local businesses, residents, and organizations. Town and township officials decided in fall of 2018 to begin a fundraising campaign to purchase an aerial fire truck to replace the 1993 pumper truck.

    The group eventually settled on the purchase of a Rosenbauer 100' Low Profile Viper Aerial Truck, which was ordered in March of 2019. The truck is currently under construction in Minnesota and is expected to arrive here in Culver and be brought in to use this summer.

    On behalf of town staff, elected officials, and the fire department, we offer a very sincere thank you to the many residents, businesses, families, and organizations who generously contributed to this effort.


2020 - May 28 - Our new truck has left Rosenbauer Aerials in Fremont, NE where the ladder was built and installed. It was delivered to the Rosenbauer plant in Wyoming, Minnesota where the truck will be completed. At this plant they will install the pump and water tank, build the body, and tie everything together. We are anticipating a final delivery date sometime in August, which is a slight delay from the June delivery that we were originally hoping for.


2020 - Jun 19 - Body construction is complete on our Rosenbauer Group 100' Viper LoPro aerial! It's now in the process of being painted before doors are installed and equipment is added.


2020 - July 21· - Ladder 1 is getting closer to completion every day!

2020 - Aug 14 - our Final Inspection at the Rosenbauer Group Minnesota Plant with Sentinel Emergency Solutions! <


2020 - Sep 18 - Our aerial ladder is going through a pre-delivery inspection this week in Missouri at Sentinel Emergency Solutions! The truck should be arriving in Culver next week.
    In addition to Rosenbauer Quality Control’s final inspection, all new apparatus have a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) performed by SENTINEL Service Technicians prior to customer possession. A PDI consists of multiple steps from chassis inspection to pump checks.


2020 - September 28 - She's home!
    Ladder 1 has arrived in Culver! This is our new aerial ladder that we have finally taken delivery of after nearly three years of planning, designing, and fundraising. A little bit about this truck...

    Ladder 1 is a 2020 Rosenbauer Viper 100' Aerial. It was built in Wyoming, MN by the fire apparatus manufacturer Rosenbauer Group. This type of firetruck is technically called a "Quint" because it serves as a combination between an aerial and a pumper. The term Quint, which means five, refers to its five major features: a water pump, water tank, fire hose, ground ladders, and of course the main aerial ladder.
    This truck features:
      - A Rosenbauer Commander chassis with a heavy duty galvanized frame
      - Hot dipped galvanized ladder with Smart Aerial technology and remote control capabilities
      - Cummins Inc 100th Anniversary Edition X15 565 HP diesel engine
      - Waterous 2000 gallon per minute water pump
      - 500 gallon water tank
      - Onboard foam system
      - Heavy duty EXT extruded body


    This truck is the most technologically advanced piece in our fleet and has safety features that will help keep our firefighters safe for years to come. Besides the enhanced firefighting capabilities, we are now able to safely access second and third story levels, steep roofs, grain bins, and other hard-to-reach areas. We can now safely fight fires from above a building without putting our firefighters within a collapse zone. This truck brings a whole new level of safety and capability that we have never had before!

    We would be remiss if we did not thank the Town of Culver Town Council, our Union Township Trustee and Advisory Board, and the hundreds of citizens that have donated and supported us to make this major project become a reality.

    We appreciate the help and support that we received from our apparatus dealer Sentinel Emergency Solutions! And not to forget Elkhart Brass and Safe Fleet for making sure that we have the latest and best equipment available on this truck.


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