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Sheridan Fire Rescue seeks to sell surplus 2008 hydraulic "Hurst" rescue tools for $5,000 as hiring push continues
Summary
Fire Chief Gary Harnish told the council Sheridan will offer a surplus 2008 Hurst hydraulic rescue tool set to a neighboring fire district for about $5,000 and said recruitment is moving forward: 53 candidates started, 39 qualified and the top 24 will go to December physical testing.
Sheridan Fire Chief Gary Harnish told the council the department plans to offer a surplus set of 2008 Hurst hydraulic rescue tools to a neighboring fire district for about $5,000 and will seek council approval after the statutorily required public hearing.
Harnish said the surplus set — listed in staff material as a Honda gasoline-powered hydraulic pump, one cutter, one spreader, two rams and hydraulic hoses — was replaced this year by a 2025 battery-powered rescue set. "We came up with a value of the surplus set of tools at approximately $5,000," Harnish said, adding the department solicited interest from Sheridan County fire districts.
The chief also updated council on hiring: "We have 53 candidates that started the process. Thirty-nine of those candidates have both completed the process and scored high enough to be considered for further testing," Harnish said. He said the top 24 candidates will arrive in Sheridan for an upcoming testing weekend in December for physical-ability testing and oral boards.
A council member questioned whether the Wyoming statute that requires a public hearing before selling to another political subdivision prevents an improper transfer between related entities. Harnish and council members said that the statute is intended to prevent buying with public funds and reselling at a discount, and the chief noted the city has transferred surplus equipment to other local departments in the past.
Councilmembers and the chief discussed why the department moved to battery-powered tools. "They're lighter, faster, stronger. It's just... and safer," Harnish said, noting hydraulic hoses can be a tripping hazard and occasionally rupture. A council member with long maintenance experience added that rigorous maintenance has helped the 2008 hydraulic set remain serviceable and that the battery tools free up personnel who otherwise must monitor motors and hose connections.
No formal council action was taken; staff said they will hold the public hearing required under statute 15-1-112(b) and return to council for approval of the sale.
What happens next: a public hearing will be scheduled per state statute and the council will consider approving the intergovernmental sale after that hearing.
