Coffeyville commission approves purchase of used 2009 101-foot aerial fire truck

Coffeyville 'The Coffeyville City Commission voted to authorize the purchase of a used 2009 101-foot platform aerial fire apparatus and limited upgrades and inspections, action the fire chief said will restore the department's capability for elevated rescues and ladder operations.

Fire Chief Michael Connor told the commission the Salina vehicle is a platform-style aerial with a 2,000 gallons-per-minute pump, about 14,000 miles and roughly 1,500 engine hours. "It's got a 2,000 GPM pump," he said, adding the low hours and miles made it an attractive used-unit option. He said the department would send the truck to a specialist for a full mechanical and pump/aerial inspection and requested up to $25,000 for that work.

Connor framed the purchase as significantly cheaper than a new truck. "A brand new truck... on the low end, [is] 1.7 to 2,500,000," he said, noting federal grant programs he and staff pursued had been competitive and unlikely to cover a full replacement.

The request followed months of reliability issues with Coffeyville's older aerial, which Chief Connor described as a 1996 "stick" aerial that has been out of service since April after repeated air-brake leaks and failing pump tests. He said repair estimates for that unit ranged from about $180,000 to upwards of $300,000, with uncertainty until technicians could disassemble the apparatus.

Commission discussion focused on operational need and training. Connor said Salina's deputy chief had offered to send personnel to help train Coffeyville staff on the truck at minimal cost. The commission approved the resolution authorizing purchase and basic upgrades; on the record the motion was made by Commissioner Van Auster and seconded by Commissioner Edwards, with affirmative votes recorded by Commissioners Maples, Edwards and Van Auster (recorded as present and voting).

The resolution requires staff to complete the purchase process and the planned third-party inspections before final acceptance. City staff said they expect delivery after Salina accepts its replacement apparatus and the selling department trains on its new unit.

What happens next: The department will arrange the inspection work and schedule training; the new truck will enter service only after inspections and any required repairs are completed.

Votes at a glance: Resolution R-24-82 to authorize purchase and inspection of the used aerial apparatus ' motion made by Commissioner Van Auster, seconded by Commissioner Edwards; recorded ayes from Commissioners Maples, Edwards and Van Auster; outcome: approved.