Huntington committee OKs contract authorization for two fire department pickup trucks

The Huntington Public Safety Committee voted to forward Resolution 2025-R-1 to the full City Council, authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract to purchase two Ford F-250 XL 4x4 vehicles for the Huntington Fire Department.

Fire Chief Greg Fuller told the committee the request covers two raw vehicles — “one will be a command vehicle. The other will be a utility vehicle,” — and that additional outfitting such as light packages and markings will add “about 20 to $22,000 per vehicle.” He said the purchase will allow the department to rotate its fleet and retire an older vehicle immediately.

Chief Fuller described the department’s current fleet in the meeting: a vehicle acquired from state surplus during his earlier tenure, a 1992 Ford F-350 used as a utility vehicle, and a 02/2009 Dodge Durango which he said has “2,000 miles” on it. He said one new truck will serve as the frontline response vehicle for the on-duty shift commander and the other will be used for logistics and support duties.

A committee member asked whether the purchases replace existing vehicles or are additions; Chief Fuller replied they will replace equipment and that the department will rotate vehicles to accommodate the new units. Following the presentation, a committee member moved to approve the resolution, another seconded, and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. The item will be sponsored and sent to the full City Council for final action.

The committee did not provide a detailed funding breakdown during the discussion; no additional funding sources or exact delivery timelines were specified in the meeting.