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Peoria council approves donation of retired fire engine to U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine after debate
Summary
The City Council approved donating a 20-year-old Peoria fire engine to US Ambulances for Ukraine. Fire officials said the engine had reached the end of its U.S. frontline life and would otherwise be scrapped; two council members voted no, citing concern about timing and second-order effects.
The Peoria City Council voted to donate one retired City of Peoria fire engine to US Ambulances for Ukraine, approving the transfer after a brief debate and with two members opposed.
The motion to approve the donation was moved by Council Member Gordon Young and seconded by Council Member Cyr; the mayor announced the motion passed with two nays (Council Members Valpula and Vespa). The council was told the donation carries no cost to the city.
City Fire Chief Sullberger described the apparatus as aged and no longer suitable for frontline or training service in Peoria. "This is a 20 year old engine," he said, adding the truck had been frontline for 13 years, reserved for five to 18 years, and was removed from training use because of leaks and because "it could not pass pump test." He said the city removes reusable items (nozzles, hose, ladders) before transfer; otherwise, the usual alternative is scrapping the apparatus for roughly $3,500 to $5,000.
Chris Manson, founder of US Ambulances for Ukraine, told the council his nonprofit has delivered vehicles and equipment to Ukrainian first responders since 2022. "We have delivered 90 ambulances, fire engines, and SUVs to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, medics, hospitals, throughout Ukraine," he said, and said the engine the city considered would be routed to Odessa and to volunteer departments facing repeated missile and drone attacks.
Manson's daughter and co-founder, Lily Manson, addressed council members and observers. "I promise you that if you do give it to us, it will go to a good cause," she said; the mayor noted Lily is 10 years old.
Council Member Valpula said she supported the humanitarian aim but could not back the donation now. "I really like the idea of giving this handle of the fire truck to Ukraine, but we are living in a very different and difficult time... I will not be able to support this," she said, citing concerns about "second order effects" and how the donation might be perceived amid federal-local tensions. Council Member Vespa echoed caution about national politics and potential consequences for local funding, saying he had "some heartburn" about possible repercussions from federal authorities.
Chief Sullberger confirmed there is no city cost to transport the engine. The chief said the city had removed any components of value for local reuse prior to donation and that the donation offered a humanitarian alternative to scrap-sale proceeds.
The donation was approved by the council; the mayor thanked Chris and Lily Manson for their presentation.
Ending: The engine will be transferred to US Ambulances for Ukraine for placement with volunteer fire services in Ukraine; the city recorded the donation authorization with a majority vote and two members opposed.
