AUBURN - With tough economic times ahead, the Auburn Fire Department wants to be prepared for everything when it comes to replacing older fire trucks.

Last week, city council unanimously approved a resolution allowing the fire department to investigate how much it would cost to refurbish an existing fire truck rather than replace it.

Department staff will issue a request for proposal likely by Jan. 1, Fire Chief Mike Hammon said. The department did not ask the city for any funds to accomplish this.

In 2007, the fire department and council developed a six-year plan to replace all fire apparatus. A nine-year-old fire engine is next on the list for replacement, but that would cost between $550,000 to $600,000, Hammon said, an expenditure the economy may not permit.

“The issue is we don't have a crystal ball for the economy,” he said, “we don't know how long we're going to be in a recession.”

But something has to be done with the fire engine, which is halfway through its life cycle and should be a reserve vehicle instead of utilized on the front line, he said.

Refurbishing the truck - which would encompass the installation of a new engine, transmission and tires with upgrades to other major components - may cost considerably less and give it another five to seven years of life. From everything he's been told, the cost to refurbish fire apparatus could be between $200,000 and $300,000.

“That could get us past this hump in the economy,” he said.

This would be the third vehicle to go through the replacement plan.

In August and September 2007, the fire department purchased two new fire vehicles from American LaFrance LLC. However, construction and delivery of those vehicles became delayed when American LaFrance filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2008.

The company has until Feb. 1 to deliver the trucks without accruing penalties. Depending on when the trucks arrive, the city may receive penalties upward to $70,000, Hammon said.

During the meeting last Wednesday, City Manger Mark Palesh said having all the information in hand about what it would take to refurbish and replace the engine is important.

“We feel good about it and we want to be prepared for any eventuality,” he said. “We may not need this, but we might.”