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Retired Dunkirk firefighter urges council to replace two aging pumpers; cites procurement and parts shortages
Summary
A retired Dunkirk firefighter told the Common Council the city needs two new pumpers, citing decades of service, decreasing parts availability after manufacturer closures, and an earlier council decision to buy two Rosenbauer pumpers for $1.7 million.
Keith Osmond, a Dunkirk resident and retired city firefighter, told the Common Council that two of the department's pumpers have been in frontline service for more than 20 years and need replacement to ensure reliable emergency response.
Osmond recounted that Anson Trucking began servicing the city's fire apparatus in 1992 and that the department purchased new pumpers in 1999 and 2003 and an engine in 2006 from American LaFrance. He said American LaFrance stopped producing fire apparatus in 2014, which made obtaining parts increasingly difficult; departments were forced to fabricate parts or source them from other agencies. Osmond said Rexford Services now provides repairs and told him parts availability for the older pumpers is "virtually nonexistent." He urged the council to keep both new pumpers the department ordered to protect businesses and citizens.
Osmond said the council previously approved two resolutions to (1) purchase and (2) bond the purchase of two new pumpers from Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus totaling $1,700,000. He told the council the build time for those trucks was estimated at 18 to 36 months and observed that the average cost of a new fire truck has increased "10 to 35% each year," citing industry reporting. Osmond also expressed frustration with press coverage and tax concerns but asked council members to consult firefighters who operate and inspect the apparatus about operational readiness.
Why it matters: Municipal fire apparatus condition affects public safety and response capability. Long lead times and rising equipment costs can delay replacement and complicate budgeting.
What the council heard: Osmond described past procurement choices and local repair arrangements, noting that replacement pumpers were specified with proximity to a local manufacturer in earlier purchases. He said that when American LaFrance ceased operations, parts auctions and limited supplies made maintenance increasingly difficult, and he and other local technicians concluded replacement was necessary.
Administrative context and next steps: The meeting included prefiled resolutions that touch on fire department leadership (Resolution 3, consent to appointment of fire chief), which the council referred to the personnel committee for further review; that referral was recorded separately in council actions. Osmond asked elected officials to consider firefighter input on equipment needs as committees review personnel and related issues.
Ending: Osmond closed by urging the council to prioritize dependable, up-to-date apparatus to protect life and property; the council later adjourned after completing agenda business.
