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Kanosh council hears fire chief on staffing, loaned truck repair and fuel-storage options
Summary
Fire Chief Lauren Shumway told the council the department expects four new firefighters, detailed repairs and recurring costs for a loaned truck, and raised a proposal to acquire on-site fuel tanks to save fuel taxes and improve readiness.
Kanosh — Fire Chief Lauren Shumway briefed the Kanosh Town Council on staffing, equipment and fuel options at the council meeting.
Shumway said the department is expecting four new firefighters — two from Kanosh and two from Cove Fort — which could improve staffing and the town’s ability to put apparatus into service. She reported the department received payment from a recent fire-camp rental at the town park and said the check should be about $7,000.
The chief described a recurring maintenance problem with a fire truck on loan to the town that has an unreliable central tire-air system; the truck frequently runs flat and attempts to repair the system at multiple shops had not solved the problem. Shumway told the council the town has spent hundreds of dollars multiple times to try to fix the truck and that a Fillmore mechanic has agreed to isolate each tire so the town can identify leaks before deciding on further repair or removal of the system. She noted the truck is a federal asset and may need to be returned in its original condition if the government reclaims it.
Shumway also raised fuel procurement options to reduce costs for the department. She said some nearby towns lease fuel tanks and buy fuel in bulk, which reduces per-gallon taxes and can lower monthly costs during fire season. Council discussion included using a town-owned tank at the shop, requirements for secondary containment and lease vs. purchase considerations. A staff member reported the state fuel tax is about 55–57.5 cents per gallon; red (dyed) diesel for permitted uses was discussed as a lower-cost option for diesel-powered apparatus.
Council members did not vote on new policy at the meeting but asked staff to gather more detailed quotes on tank leases, delivery logistics and regulatory requirements and to place the item on next month’s agenda. Shumway also suggested the $7,000 from the camp might be applied toward a planned ATV purchase for the department, pending budget confirmation.
Key figures and takeaways - New firefighters: 4 expected (two from Kanosh, two from Cove Fort). - Fire-camp revenue: roughly $7,000 paid to the town for park use. - Loaned truck: persistent air-system/tire leaks; town exploring isolating system and potential removal of the automated system. - Fuel strategy: options include leasing tanks and buying fuel direct (potential tax savings ~55–57.5¢/gallon); towns cited the ability to use dyed diesel for permitted uses.
What’s next: Staff will obtain quotes and regulatory guidance on tank leasing/purchase, containment and delivery; the council will consider the item at the next meeting.
