Fire Chief Jim Tallman said Friday that the department had been talking about purchasing a utility vehicle for some time when they were approached by Lindberg about the donation.

``The fire department had been looking for one for years. Now was the time to do it; so we did it,’’ Lindberg said.

The donation was made in memory of Bryce Baker, who had been Lindberg’s sales representative from Cub Cadet for the past 25 years. Baker died last fall.

``When he offered it, it was a dream come true,’’ Tallman said. ``It was unbelievable. We thought we would have to raise the money for it.’’

The utility vehicle will be used in a number of different situations, Tallman said. It will be helpful during stand-by at athletic events, in rescue operations, and for getting around the village when big crowds are on hand like during the Hall of Fame induction.

It is a heavier duty model equipped with a high output alternator capable of running auxiliary lighting; a power dump box and run-flat front tires. The department will be getting a ``med-bed’’ that fits over the dump box for patient transport, Tallman said.

According to Lindberg, a similarly equipped model would retail for approximately $11,000. This one was used with about 90 hours.

The chief also said they will make the vehicle available for mutual aid assistance to nearby departments. ``Ivor’s donation is for everybody and not just us,’’ Tallman said.