The Riverside Fire Department is planning to order a new truck. The organization will use $300,000 from the city, a $125,000 Washington County Riverboat grant and money from the Riverside Fire District to finance the $725,000 purchase.

According to Fire Chief Chad Smothers, the new ladder truck will allow them reach buildings taller than two stories. He explains they currently have to call Iowa City or Washington Fire for mutual aid when taller buildings catch fire.

The custom built truck will take eight to nine months to build. Smothers says they’ll place the order before the end of the year.