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New Richmond council approves $1.08 million replacement for primary fire truck
Summary
The City of New Richmond approved purchasing a new E‑1 rescue pumper from Fire Service Inc. for $1,084,765; the city’s share is 55.5% (just over $600,000) with other jurisdictions responsible for their portions. Council cited safety needs, lead times and an upcoming emissions-driven price increase.
The New Richmond City Council voted to purchase a new E‑1 rescue pumper from Fire Service Inc. for $1,084,765 to replace frontline engine/truck 3265.
Staff and the Fire Board told the council the truck has extensive frame corrosion and other deficiencies that make it increasingly unreliable as the department’s primary response vehicle. The recommended apparatus carries specialized equipment and, according to staff, would take 12 to 14 months to build; staff said the vendor currently has an engine that can be held for this order but that new vehicle-emissions standards and a scheduled November price change would raise the engine cost by about $85,000 starting in 2027.
Council members emphasized response reliability. “We don’t feel we can wait four years for a replacement,” a council member said, adding that the apparatus had failed to deliver foam on a recent car-fire response. The city’s share of the purchase was described in the packet as 55.5% (just over $600,000); staff said jurisdictions served by the department will be responsible for their own financing choices and that no down payment was required.
Staff and the fire-board committee recommended proceeding because of safety risk and limited production slots at manufacturers; in discussion members noted market consolidation and long lead times for the specialized vehicles.
Council approved the motion to proceed with the purchase as presented. The decision does not yet commit the city to a specific financing structure beyond the cost-share breakdown provided in the packet. The city will coordinate financing with partner jurisdictions and return with any contract or financing details as required.
Next steps: the purchase order will be placed so the truck can enter production and the city will finalize financing arrangements with participating municipalities.
