Stevensville council approves donation of surplus fire engine to R. Lee Volunteer Fire Department

The Stevensville Town Council approved donating a surplus town-owned fire engine to the R. Lee Volunteer Fire Department after a staff presentation explained the town’s fleet updates and mutual-aid rationale.

A town presenter described that the department had accepted a newer 105-foot aerial ladder into service and that an older 55-foot quint (which included a pump and hose but was being replaced) was being removed from frontline duty. He said Corvallis and other nearby departments have circulated surplus apparatus within the valley so smaller departments retain access to aerial capability. The presenter noted the retired apparatus required work (he cited an estimated repair/bring-to-service figure) but said passing the unit to another department would preserve regional capability.

The presenter also explained that the quint’s pump and hoses differentiate it from a ladder-only apparatus and that newer fleet purchases are far more expensive; he referenced NFPA guidance on apparatus service life and said surplus equipment is a cost-effective way for small departments to obtain critical gear.

A council member moved to approve Resolution 583 to donate the engine to the R. Lee Volunteer Fire Department; the clerk recorded multiple members answering "Aye." The council approved the resolution and the meeting adjourned. Staff said the receiving department will invest to bring the apparatus to full operational condition and the town will coordinate transfer logistics.

The council’s approval is intended to support mutual-aid readiness in the valley while retiring older equipment from Stevensville’s frontline fleet.