Committee OKs forwarding contract for marking and equipping two Huntington fire trucks

The Huntington Public Safety Committee voted unanimously March 10 to forward to city council a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter a contract for painting, marking and installing emergency equipment on two Ford F-250 trucks for the Huntington Fire Department.

Chief Fuller, Huntington Fire Department fire chief, told the committee the department previously obtained approval to purchase two Ford F-250 trucks to replace aging vehicles and returned to the committee for authorization to proceed with markings and emergency equipment. He said one truck will be configured as a command vehicle with a topper and slide-out for command equipment, and the other will be configured for logistics with a cover for hauling hose and other equipment.

The department had estimated the cost of marking and outfitting the trucks at about $44,000. Purchasing received a single bid from Rocky Fork Enterprises of Charleston, West Virginia; the amount stated in the meeting was $36,728 (the transcript was unclear on cents). Chief Fuller described the bid as "very acceptable" and asked the committee to move the item to council with a favorable recommendation.

An unidentified committee member moved to forward the resolution to council with a favorable recommendation; a second was recorded. The committee vote was unanimous: all in favor, none opposed. Committee Chair (name not specified in the record) then asked Miss Truss to sponsor the measure before it proceeds to full council.

The committee took no final action to award the contract; the committee’s favorable recommendation forwards the resolution for council consideration and final approval.

The discussion lasted briefly and focused on vehicle configuration and bid cost; no other funding sources or contract terms were discussed on the record. The transcript does not specify the mayor’s timing for signing or an expected service date for the outfitted vehicles.