By Maureen Vander Sanden
SLN
A new fire truck will make its way into the city’s fleet with the Common Council’s recent approval to purchase a nearly $700,000 pumper engine.
The City Council at its Nov. 5 meeting unanimously approved a $690,282 bid from Roenbaur Central States Fire Apparatus to replace a 1989 pumper engine in 2014.
Requests for proposals were sent to six vendors – four of which did not respond.
General Fire Apparatus, which bid $749,616, was the only other bidder.
The city projected spending $700,000 on the new truck, according to Fire Chief Rod Smith.
Smith reported to the Finance and Judicial committee late last month that the city currently has $449,094 in its vehicle replacement fund.
The remaining $241,188 will be split between the city, and surrounding townships which the fire department also serves.
Of that, based on allocation percentage, the city will fund 42 percent, or $101,299. The Town of Sugar Creek is responsible for 19 percent, or $43,414. Town of Geneva will chip in 25 percent, or $65,121; and the Town of LaFayette is responsible for 14 percent, or $31,354.
According to Smith, production step payments will be due next year, as the engine is being built.
Next year, when the chassis is completed, $309,303 is due. In the second quarter of 2013, $242,365 will be billed as the waterway device is completed; and $138,614 would be paid on delivery in 2014.
The purchase would bring the department’s fleet into full National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliance, by replacing the city’s last open cab engine, the fire chief said.
“The vehicle will also enhance firefighter safety due to decreased volunteer participation by using mechanical means of fire suppression,” he reported.
The new engine’s 1 ½-inch hand line cuts down on manpower. The engine will provide an elevated water stream capable of releasing 12,050 gallons of water a minute – an amount that typically demands nine volunteers, according to the chief. With the new truck, only one volunteer is needed to operate the equipment.
Once the new truck is delivered, Smith said the 1989 engine would join another early vehicle in reserve at the department’s Como engine house.
Both are non-compliant due to the open cabs, he said.
In addition to the non-compliant engines, the city’s fleet includes two main engines, a 100-foot tower ladder, squad, two water tenders, three ambulances, one brush truck and two command vehicles.
One of the two main engines is scheduled in 10 years for the next big replacement, Smith said, noting fire apparatuses have 25-year life spans, per NFPA guidelines.
Smith said the relationship the city has with the surrounding towns for emergency services is a good one.
“I’m happy the city and towns coupled up on this to look down the road,” he said. “Ultimately it comes down to increased safety of firefighters and citizens.”
