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Fire officials and residents press Munhall council to reconsider First Vehicle maintenance contract after costly failures
Summary
A longtime firefighter urged the borough not to renew a maintenance contract with First Vehicle, citing repeated failures and a roughly $80,000 ladder-truck repair that left critical equipment out of service for months; speakers called for a local mechanic, clarified who bears repair risk under contracts, and urged a council review of fleet maintenance strategy.
Ed Fletch, a firefighter who said he has served as fire chief in the past, told the Feb. 11 workshop the borough should not reenter a contract with First Vehicle, the borough's fleet-maintenance vendor, and urged hiring a local mechanic or otherwise restructuring maintenance to prevent repeated, high-cost breakdowns.
Fletch recounted multiple incidents he said resulted from insufficient routine maintenance under the First Vehicle arrangement, including a prolonged ladder-truck repair he described as nearly $80,000 and nine months out of service. "That ladder... that's a crime against us," Fletch said, arguing the failure was preventable with proper maintenance and oversight.
Why it matters: The borough relies on municipal vehicles for police, public works and fire response; sustained equipment downtime and high repair costs have operational and budgetary consequences and can affect response capability. Fletch and other commenters said first responders have performed routine work historically and recommended the borough consider adding an in-house mechanic or contracting differently to avoid deferred-maintenance escalation.
Council and staff responses: Councilors acknowledged prior discussions and said fleet and fire-station issues are being tracked. The council discussed existing committee work on the long-term disposition of an aging borough building used by fire services and the possibility of consolidation; staff said some grant funding becomes available for consolidation planning but that ownership status complicates direct grant access. No contractual decisions were made at the workshop.
Additional public concerns during the same period included police-vehicle procurement and budget questions: members of the public asked why the borough planned a $35,000 police-vehicle purchase partially funded by forfeiture money and whether mileage reimbursement could be used when officers commute short distances; staff replied the vehicle is intended for department needs and that the chief requires a borough vehicle because of 24/7 responsibilities.
Ending: Speakers urged an expedited review of maintenance practices and contractor performance; councilors and staff said they would carry these concerns to committee and follow up with the fire department and procurement staff before making contract decisions.
