Highland Park authorizes purchase of a used Pierce Sabre fire truck to replace engine damaged in accident

Highland Park — The Highland Park City Council approved a resolution authorizing the fire department to acquire a used Pierce Sabre fire engine from Swartz Creek to replace Engine 2, which was totaled in a previous accident.

Councilman O'Shoppe moved the resolution and Council President Robinson seconded. Fire Department representatives said the apparatus being offered by Swartz Creek had been removed from service after the department purchased a new engine; staff reported the vehicle had passed a pump test last year and is NFPA-approved. The packet included email correspondence indicating the seller reduced the price from $30,000 to $25,000 and then to $15,000; the resolution in the packet lists an additional $1,000 to cover decals and rebranding.

Councilmembers asked whether the city could instead procure a new engine; staff said a new engine was part of a capital-improvement plan projected three to five years out and the used engine fills an immediate operational need. The council approved the resolution by roll call.

Council members urged that the department pursue NFPA compliance, indicated the purchase would be funded from the capital-improvement line, and asked for follow-up about vehicle insurance and past handling of the totaled engine. The meeting record shows the totaled engine had been out of service for approximately three years and that a prior administration had not replaced it until now.