The Prior Lake City Council has approved the purchase of a $350,000 rescue truck for its new fire station near county roads 42 and 21.

Fire Chief Doug Hartman said the rescue truck can carry firefighting tools and personnel to the scene, extract victims from vehicles, assist in confined-space and water rescues and help with hazardous-material incidents. The fire department has one rescue truck already operating out of its older fire station, off County Road 21 and Fish Point Road.

The council also approved $25,000 for breathing apparatus for firefighters.

The city will use the remaining balance of referendum dollars not used for the second fire station, in the form of a transfer from the city’s building fund to its revolving equipment fund. Voters approved a $3.7 million referendum in September 2006 for the construction of a second fire station and the purchase of an aerial-platform truck, both of which the city already has completed.

– Lori Carlson