Fund started for Imperial fire hall generator

    When the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department responded to last week’s fire that burned very close to town, they might have gotten a quicker start.
    But, thanks to the power outage just minutes before the call, the fire hall’s automatic doors wouldn’t open.
    It required manually lifting them that night, said Fire Chief Doug Mitchell, which he estimates slowed their exit by about five minutes.
    It took at least three firefighters at a time to lift one door so the vehicles and trucks could pull out, he said. There are five doors that exit onto Broadway.
    Because of that, the IVFD is setting out to raise funds for a fire hall generator that would automatically kick in when the electricity is out for whatever reason.
    The IVFD moved to a remodeled new location last June at 3rd and Broadway Sts., three blocks south of their former home.
    Any individuals, businesses or organizations interested in the fundraiser can contact Mitchell with questions, 308-882-8306.
    City Public Works Supt. Pat Davison said cause of the outage was slapping electrical lines. He said the city lost three poles in the windstorm overnight Jan. 13-14, but two were already back up on Monday.
    After going out about 10 p.m. last Wednesday night, the power was back on by 2 a.m.