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Pratt County Fire & Rescue urges action on aging rescue truck as commissioners weigh replacement options
Summary
Fire Chief Bill Hampton reported rescue unit 302 has major mechanical issues and does not meet current operational needs; staff and commissioners agreed to gather updated bids, explore demos and lease-purchase options and return with detailed cost estimates.
Bill Hampton of Pratt County Fire & Rescue told commissioners that rescue truck 302 has become unreliable and is no longer fit for rescue missions. "We keep talking about rescue 302 as being kind of our problem child," he said, detailing mechanical history, engine replacements and limited utility of the present unit for multi-person rescues.
Hampton said the department currently has about $200,000 set aside toward a replacement (a combination of reserves and identified funds) but estimated the cost of a suitable new or demo rescue truck could exceed that amount. He described past repairs (engine replacements and turbo work), the truck's limitations for carrying four rescuers and equipment, and the procurement challenges in a tight market where demo units can disappear quickly.
Commissioners and staff discussed options including buying a used/demonstration unit, lease-purchase financing, or going to bid for a new truck. County staff reminded the board that surplus-vehicle sales and purchases must follow normal public-bid or published-sale processes (for example, Purple Wave) and that the county will need updated numbers to evaluate lease versus purchase.
The board directed staff to obtain updated bids, cost estimates and feasibility of lease-purchase arrangements and to return with precise numbers for a future decision.
