Board approves sale of ladder truck and awards grant-funded contract for 14 sets of turnout gear

The Village of Hinsdale approved two separate fire-department items: the sale of an existing ladder truck and a contract award to purchase 14 sets of firefighter turnout gear paid with a DuPage County member-initiative grant. Staff reported the ladder truck required about $40,000 of repairs to be useable; the fire department received an as‑is bid of $75,000, which exceeded expectations. Trustees instructed staff to specify the buyer and amount in the consent motion and approved disposition consistent with village practice for surplus apparatus. Separately, trustees authorized purchasing 14 sets of turnout gear under a previously approved $55,000 intergovernmental grant from DuPage County. The department received two bids; the low bidder, Air 1 Equipment, proposed $49,532 and could meet manufacturer fitting and timing constraints required by the grant. Trustees noted the grant imposes timelines and the vendor chosen met those deadlines and was the lowest responsive bidder. Both items were handled on the consent agenda; trustees praised the chief and staff for securing favorable outcomes on the equipment sale and grant-funded purchase.