Fire department sets date to christen new fire and rescue boat

[caption id="attachment_10751" align="alignleft" width="270"] Firefighter Mike Meester slides down the new brass pole at the Clear Lake Fire Station.[/caption]

The Clear Lake Fire Department will christen its new fire and rescue boat and introduce those responsible for the incredibly generous donation.

Doug Meyers, chief of the Clear Lake Fire Department, said the fireboat christening will be held at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Main Avenue boat launch.  Family members will conduct the christening.  The public is invited to attend.

In March it was announced that the department had received a very generous, private donation to the Clear Lake Volunteer Firefighter’s Association directed toward two specific projects.

The first project is the purchase and installation of a brass fire pole and railing system at the fire station. A fire pole was included in the original fire station plans but the pole and hardware were reserved from the project and was to be funded by private donations.

The second project was the purchase, equipping and delivery of the community’s first true fire-rescue boat.

A 26-foot custom built aluminum fire-rescue boat was built at the Fraser Shipyards by Lake Assault Boats LLC of Superior, Wis. The boat will be a multi-purpose boat for both fire and rescue operations on the water. The 1,000 gallon per minute fire pump can be used to fight fires on or near lake shore properties as well as fires in boats both in the water or while docked. The pump can also be used to supply water to fire apparatus for fires in areas around the lake without fire hydrants or with poor hydrant capabilities.