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Angola fire chief outlines air-pack replacement plan and delayed ladder truck purchase
Summary
Fire Chief said department is planning a phased or grant-funded replacement of 39–40 self-contained breathing apparatus (air packs) and will carry over a ladder truck purchase into the 2026 budget, budgeting $1.5 million in the capital fund.
Chief Harter updated council on the fire department’s equipment needs, saying department inventory includes 24 air packs from the 2015 model year and four from 2017, with a total replacement need of roughly 39–40 units. He said a full replacement could cost about $450,000 to $500,000; staff noted eligibility for grant funding depends on NFPA cycle compliance and that the department has become eligible based on NFPA timing.
Harter reported staff are pursuing grant opportunities to replace all air packs at once and described a possible two-year replacement plan to keep units compatible with NFPA cycles. Council members asked whether replacement would be phased; Harter said planning horizons extend 12–15 years and emphasized the importance of keeping equipment interoperable.
On apparatus, staff said the capital development fund had budgeted $1 million in 2025 to replace a truck but that purchase will be carried into 2026; the 2026 capital budget shows $1,500,000 in that fund and staff said they expect to spend roughly half next year and carry the remainder into 2027, with delivery likely in 2027. Council was told apparatus purchases are custom and require a deposit (typically 50%) at order.
