The Town of Elon has received a $630,000 federal matching grant for the purchase of a new ladder fire truck, which will improve fire safety for taller structures in town, especially at the university and the Twin Lakes retirement community. The ladder truck is being specially ordered and should be delivered in fall 2005.
The truck will be located at the new fire substation the town is building on three acres of land donated by the university just north of campus. The substation, which should open in fall 2005, will be located at the intersection of Walker Ave. and Power Line Rd., about 3/4-mile north of campus.
Town of Elon Mayor Beth Schmidt says the substation has been needed for some time. The town’s main fire station is located just south of campus and the major passenger and freight rail line that passes through the center of town. The new substation will eliminate the possibility of fire trucks being unable to reach campus or other parts of Elon because of a train.