Trustee Pat Higginson recently proposed purchasing a new vehicle for the Fire Department Battalion Chiefs, and the Board quickly approved the purchase.
Keeping our fire department in top notch condition is always a priority for the Village Board. Last year, the Fire department received a new $800,000 fire engine, which is a great piece of equipment that continues to receive rave reviews from Fire personnel.
Over the next two years, 2 ambulances will be added to the fleet. The first is a rebuilt ambulance that we sent to be refurbished. It was a great money-saver, and this extends the life of the ambulance. A new ambulance will be received later this year and will complete the fleet upgrade.
The remaining Fire vehicle to be acquired is the command vehicle operated by the battalion chiefs or lieutenants. The last command vehicle was purchased nearly 7 years ago, and although it still operates and is in great condition, the 2 backup vehicles are 20 and nearly 30 years old. This new command unit will cost the Village almost $70,000, will be completely ready for emergency response, and is expected to last nearly 20 years.
Trustee Higginson thanked Fire Chief Grzadziel for obtaining competitive pricing and getting the best savings for our taxpayers. An actual delivery date was not yet determined, but Trustee Higginson said, “it will be well worth the wait!”