AUBURN - If all goes as planned, the Auburn Fire Department could have several sets of new wheels within the next few years.
Fire chief Mike Hammon presented Auburn City Council with a proposal that would account for replacing five pieces of apparatus, one this year, in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013.
The total cost amounts to $1.74 million, Hammon estimated. However, the city would save in maintenance costs and could sell those vehicles after a few years, unlike most of the current fleet.
The city budgeted $60,000 for maintenance of the aging fire trucks and engines this year, $12,000 less than last year.
"I'm not comfortable asking you to go into debt," Hammon told councilors. Instead, he wanted to present ways for the city to find the money. He aims to save $150,000 in overtime costs to fund new equipment as part of an incentive program city manager Mark Palesh initiated for the fiscal year that started this week.
The city also sent out grant applications that would fund new pumper trucks if awarded, Hammon said.
"I think it's something the city has to do," former fire chief Michael Quill said referring to replacing the vehicles.
The council and past councils have heard the need to update the equipment for years but never had the finances to do so, he added.
Most of the vehicles scheduled for replacement are fire engines, but one would serve as a ambulance and supplement vehicle for the Hazardous Materials crew.
"Occasionally, we're sitting on a scene waiting for an ambulance," Hammon said. This would eliminate that situation.
Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Citizen.
The total cost amounts to $1.74 million, Hammon estimated. However, the city would save in maintenance costs and could sell those vehicles after a few years, unlike most of the current fleet.
The city budgeted $60,000 for maintenance of the aging fire trucks and engines this year, $12,000 less than last year.
"I'm not comfortable asking you to go into debt," Hammon told councilors. Instead, he wanted to present ways for the city to find the money. He aims to save $150,000 in overtime costs to fund new equipment as part of an incentive program city manager Mark Palesh initiated for the fiscal year that started this week.
The city also sent out grant applications that would fund new pumper trucks if awarded, Hammon said.
"I think it's something the city has to do," former fire chief Michael Quill said referring to replacing the vehicles.
The council and past councils have heard the need to update the equipment for years but never had the finances to do so, he added.
Most of the vehicles scheduled for replacement are fire engines, but one would serve as a ambulance and supplement vehicle for the Hazardous Materials crew.
"Occasionally, we're sitting on a scene waiting for an ambulance," Hammon said. This would eliminate that situation.
Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Citizen.
