Crime & Safety

Donations Help the Stillwater Fire Department Retrofit a Fire Rescue Boat

The Stillwater Fire Department will hold a public event and demonstration of a recently retrofitted firefighting boat at 11 a.m. Thursday at Lowell Park.

The recently received a donation to retrofit a boat with fire suppression capabilities—a “critical tool” fire officials say will increase the safety of those spending time on or near the St. Croix River.

The $13,000 donation from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and RJF has allowed the Stillwater Fire Department to purchase a fire pump, steering brackets, motor mounting, oil tanks and other engine parts.

The funds are also being used to repaint a 24-foot surplus Coast Guard fire rescue boat to match existing fire trucks.

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The fire department recently acquired the firefighting boat from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, but lacked the funds needed to make the boat fully operational.

“This boat will allow us to respond to emergencies much more quickly, efficiently and safely,” said Tom Ballis, deputy fire chief of Stillwater Fire Department. “That speed and stability can literally be the difference between life and death for people in trouble.”

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Stillwater firefighters respond to incidents on Stillwater lakes, as well as about 7.5 miles of the St. Croix River.

Firefighters will hold a public event and demonstration of the new firefighting boat at 11 a.m. Thursday at .

The grant is part of a nationwide program funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company that is designed to provide needed equipment, training and educational tools to local fire departments.

Stillwater resident Julie Thompson and her colleague Kaleb Bronson worked with RJF to secure the grant money needed to retrofit the firefighting boat.

“As a resident of Stillwater, I am honored to direct this grant to the rescue squad,” Thompson stated in a news release. “It’s vital that our first responders have the proper equipment to help our community when it’s needed most.”

In addition to the $12,989 grant, the Margaret Rivers Foundation donated $5,000 and the Stillwater Elks Club contributed another $1,000 to help retrofit the boat. No city funds were used to purchase or retrofit the firefighting boat.

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