Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Department Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Green Springs fire chief asks Washington County to consider $664,990 pumper purchase; board to decide in September
Summary
Green Springs Fire Chief Bill Nunley described safety and mechanical problems with a 1996 pumper and presented quotes for a replacement unit (one bid listed at $664,990 and an upgraded option about $30,000 higher). The board did not allocate funds immediately and staff said the purchase would be considered as a carryover at the Sept. 24 meeting.
Bill Nunley, fire chief of Green Springs Fire Department, told the Washington County Board of Supervisors on July 23 that the department’s 1996 pumper is showing age-related safety and mechanical problems and should be replaced. "We have a 1996 model, it's 28 years old," Nunley said, describing electrical, compressor and suspension issues and structural wear that create safety risks.
Nunley presented two purchase options. The lower-cost quote in the packet was $664,990 for a demo pumper through Matheny Fire and Emergency (Foy Fire Vehicles); an upgraded version with additional features was about $30,000 higher. He told the board the department needs a shorter wheelbase model that carries roughly 1,000 gallons of water so it can access narrow subdivisions and tight driveways in its service area. "Either is fine with us ... we're looking to go the cheapest route," Nunley said.
County staff and board members noted the purchase is not in the current fiscal budget. Mr. Berry and other staff told the panel the earliest practical handling would be to consider the expenditure as a fiscal carryover item. Mr. Berry said staff planned to place the request on the second meeting in September (Sept. 24) for formal budget consideration.
The presentation emphasized both operational need and cost pressure: Nunley said the department has looked for used and new trucks and found prices rising, and that available used units often come with reasons sellers are disposing of them. He also said the department intends to sell the existing vehicle if a replacement is purchased, but that existing structural issues need prompt attention if kept in service.
Next steps: the board took the presentation for information and staff indicated the earliest budget action would be to include the purchase as a carryover item for the Sept. 24 meeting; no appropriation or binding commitment was made at the July 23 meeting.
