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Board approves pursuit of replacement fire engine after December crash; insurance will cover portion
Summary
Following the December total loss of a frontline engine, the Charles City County Board approved staff to proceed with purchasing a replacement demo engine at $1,579,000 from DPC Emergency Equipment and to pursue financing; insurance payout and financing terms are under review.
The Charles City County Board of Supervisors voted to proceed with purchasing a replacement fire engine after the department’s newest engine was totaled in a December accident.
Fire Chief Jimmy Johnson told the board the totaled engine received an insurance payout of $1,211,000 and staff obtained competitive quotes from three vendors. Chief Johnson recommended vendor B (DPC Emergency Equipment) and a demo-class pumper that meets NFPA standards. The board approved proceeding with the purchase at a purchase price of $1,579,000 and directed staff to finalize contracting and financing arrangements.
Johnson said the engine is a demo unit under construction and that delivery would take about seven to eight months; the vendor requires no immediate payment and the first payment would be due about one year after delivery, placing the county’s first payment in fiscal 2027. He said the selected vendor offers mobile maintenance capable of addressing roughly 90% of expected mechanical issues.
Chief Johnson and board members noted the county’s need to replace aging equipment: the department currently has two engines, two tankers and three ambulances; the reserve engine (Rescue 2) is a 1995 unit donated by New Kent County and has become less reliable and more costly to maintain.
Board members asked about financing and the budgetary impact. The county does not plan to include the item in the FY26 operating budget; instead staff will pursue financing and present repayment terms to the board. The board approved the motion to proceed; Supervisors Patterson and Hill voted yes and Chairman Atkins cast an aye vote as recorded.
Chief Johnson advised that comparable demo units have been sold quickly by other jurisdictions and that delays could leave the county with only older, less dependable apparatus in frontline service. The approved authorization allows staff to sign to hold the unit while they finalize financing and contract terms.
