Fort Thomas to take delivery of new aerial truck and ambulance; staff plans to surplus older vehicles to Campbell County

City staff told the council that the fire department’s aerial ladder truck and a new ambulance are due for delivery this calendar and budget year and that the city will surplus older apparatus after the new units arrive.

The presenter said the aerial truck’s balance in the budget, including a negotiated penalty for the delayed delivery, amounts to approximately $1.45 million for the ladder purchase (presented in the transcript as “the 1.45 is what the latter costs us”). The city has already paid for the ambulance chassis and expects to pay the balance in the current budget year so the new ambulance can be placed in service.

Surplus and disposition: staff said the department plans to surplus an ambulance, a ladder and an engine after the new purchases. Rather than sending those vehicles to auction, staff told council the city’s discussions with Campbell County indicate the county would purchase the used apparatus; staff said that typically produces better net proceeds and would keep the vehicles as regional backups.

Why it matters: apparatus replacement is a major capital expense for a small city and affects fire-response capacity, replacement funding schedules and mutual-aid arrangements with neighboring jurisdictions.

Next steps: staff will finalize delivery schedules and bring surplus-sale agreements or auction recommendations back to council for formal approval if needed. No formal sale was approved during the meeting.