Aberdeen authorizes $514,500 purchase of heavy-rescue truck to replace 24-year-old unit

The Town of Aberdeen on June 23 authorized staff to enter a contract to purchase a heavy-rescue truck from Atlantic Coast Fire Trucks for $514,500 to replace a 24-year-old heavy rescue unit.

Fire leadership described the vehicle as a "rolling toolbox" equipped to carry specialized rescue equipment, scene lighting and a hydraulic pump needed for vehicle extrication and other heavy-rescue incidents. "This is a truck that will be used to carry rescue equipment onto our scene," the fire chief (speaker 1) said, noting the department’s existing unit is 24 years old and increasingly costly to maintain.

Chief Richardson told the board the lead time to build and deliver the vehicle is an estimated 18 to 24 months and that staff plans to pay for the chassis (about $130,000) when it arrives in January to lock pricing. The town manager said the purchase will be covered through a combination of financing and a budget amendment in January when the chassis payment is due.

Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to approve the purchase and to authorize staff to sign contract documents; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The chief said the unit will serve both town stations and participate in mutual aid responses.

Key details: purchase price $514,500; estimated chassis payment ~$130,000 (paid when chassis is produced); estimated lead time 18–24 months; plan to finance the purchase and make a mid-fiscal-year budget amendment.

The board’s authorization allows staff to execute the contract to secure current pricing and begin the procurement process.