With our rapidly expanding fire district, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has been looking into the purchase of our first Ladder Truck. A new Ladder Truck will cost nearly $800,000 and take up to a year for delivery after the money is raised for the purchase. We received information that the Christiana Fire Company in New Castle County has taken delivery of a new Seagrave Ladder Truck and their 1981 American La France 100'rearmount Ladder Truck was for sale by sealed bid. The American La France was on loan to the Five Points Fire Company, also in New Castle County, while the Five Points Ladder Truck is being refurbished. On Saturday, January 7, a group from our Fire Company traveled north to see Christiana's new truck and check out the truck that was for sale. The American La France is in excellent condition with a recently certified aerial ladder. A bid was placed on the American La France truck. We were notified that we were the highest bidder and our bid was accepted. We will continue to allow Five Points to use the truck until their truck returns in the next few months. There will be some minor work the truck needs after it arrives. This truck will give us Ladder Company capability, be used for training, and let us evaluate the use of a rearmount ladder in our district. Our members are already working on the necessary training. We expect to have Ladder 80 in service early this summer.