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Business Man Donates Fire Truck To Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit City Council members said the city will gladly accept the gift of a fire truck from a Harrison Township business man.

Joe Rippolone said he decided to donate the truck after hearing about 3-year-old Ivory Ivey who died because Detroit firefighters didn't have a truck able to rescue her from an upstairs bedroom.

"It's always a pleasure to help out Detroit. We love the people, and that's what we're here to do, help out," Rippolone said.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Don Austin said he and his chief mechanic checked out the truck. He said it was in good condition, even though it was manufactured in 1983.

"Mr. Rippolone was kind enough to give us a ride around four or five blocks. We raised the aerial ladder which is 105 feet in length," said Austin.

"It has 23,000 original miles ... $50,000 or Mr. Rippolone's money went into rebuilding the hydraulics, the suspension ...  it is a very strong apparatus and it will help serve the citizen well," Austin said.

The truck's estimated value is $180,000.

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