Fire chief warns maintenance costs rising as apparatus repairs and capital projects advance

At the June 9 meeting Fire Chief Joe DeBoer updated the Port Washington Police and Fire Commission on multiple apparatus repairs, capital purchases and the Public Safety Building construction.

Chief DeBoer reported that Engine 465 (primary engine) is out of service for transmission evaluation at a diesel shop and Engine 464 will serve as primary while repairs continue. Truck 460 underwent ladder repairs at a vendor and is expected to pass testing. The large marine boat (Marine 469) had intermittent power and wiring failures; a marine vendor replaced battery cables and wiring and returned the boat to service.

The chief said deferred maintenance and several significant repairs have pushed the department close to exceeding its maintenance budget; he is coordinating with the finance director and city administrator on the overages and said pump testing remains to be completed this year. On capital projects, the command vehicle was received from General Motors and is awaiting upfitting, an older vehicle sold on Wisconsin Surplus for $10,075, and a new brush truck chassis and service body have been ordered with expected completion late in the year. The department is beta testing computer-aided dispatch hardware and continues to outfit full-time staff with turnout gear. Construction of the new Public Safety Building has started with footings being poured and monthly drone photos taken for progress tracking.

Chief DeBoer said the department will continue to prioritize repairs and work with city finance to manage the fiscal impact.