With significant cost savings in mind, the City of Fayetteville approved putting money down for a new pair of fire trucks to join the fleet next year. At Thursday night’s city council meeting, the purchase of two new trucks, using budget SPLOST funds, was unanimously approved.
The 2018 Pierce Enforcer models would replace two 2004 American LaFrance fire pumpers that Fayetteville Fire Chief Alan Jones called the two most critical for replacement.
“They’re well beyond their normal expected life span,” Jones said of the two LaFrance trucks.
Typically, the city would not purchase the trucks until they are built, but they will receive about $41,000 in savings by pre-paying. Additionally, the trucks were set to go up in price in January.
The smaller wheel base of the Pierce model will also be a big benefit.
“It will help us be a little bit more maneuverable in some of the tighter areas of the city,” said Jones.
The approved budget is $600,000 for each truck. While the vehicles themselves will come under that number, it will allow for the replacement of equipment that may not transfer from the LaFrance to the Pierce model.
The outdated models are currently in reserve and will eventually be sold.
