The Knoxville Fire Department has announced they have been awarded a $27,000 grant from the Iowa Fire Marshal’s office. According to Chief Cal Wyman the money will go towards the purchase of a new UTV and skid unit for the department which will be used for both patient transport and fire fighting capabilities. 

Chief Wyman and the department also have announced the acquisition of a used ladder truck for the department from Clinton Fire Department in Clinton Iowa for $65,000. This past spring the Knoxville City Council approved the purchase of a used ladder truck for the department for up to $85,000. Chief Wyman says the truck will help lower the current Insurance Services Office rating, or ISO for Knoxville, a rating that is used when determining insurance costs for businesses and homeowners. With the addition of the truck the department will be selling one of their older trucks but have to store the older trucks at a different location due to the non availability of space at the department.