Macomb approves $41,000 purchase of 1997 E-1 rescue squad to centralize technical-rescue gear

Macomb — The City Council unanimously authorized the purchase of a 1997 E-1 rescue squad for $41,000, a vehicle the fire department said will carry technical-rescue equipment and reduce response time.

Chief Meyer described how technical-rescue tools currently are stored on trailers at an offsite storage area and explained that putting that equipment on a staffed rescue squad at Station 1 will save 10–15 minutes on many responses and eliminate the need to haul trailers to incidents. The request was presented with a specification sheet and recommended by the Public Safety subcommittee.

Funding: Chief Meyer said the purchase would be funded from the foreign fire tax board funds and emphasized the board decides whether to make the purchase; he said the recommended approach requires no initial general-fund outlay beyond insurance. Staff discussed selling three trailers and a replaced tanker and estimated proceeds of roughly $25,000 would be returned to the foreign-fire-tax fund, but council members expressed concern about potential auditor objections to depositing unrestricted sale proceeds into a restricted fund. The city attorney recommended authorizing the purchase while recognizing the foreign fire tax board retains final purchase authority.

Council approved the motion by roll call. The fire department noted the vehicle is a used 1997 model that lacks a pump, which lowers maintenance complexity, and staff said it has been inspected and carries factory shop-order documentation.