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Smithfield fire chief outlines station and apparatus needs, presents replacement and refurbishment options
Summary
Fire Chief Jeremy Hunt described stable revenues from wildland work but said Smithfield faces aging apparatus and building capacity limits: a ladder truck replacement could cost about $2.2M (refurbishment option ~$880,000), engine replacement ~$1.13M, and a new two-bay station is estimated at $2.1M–$3.8M depending on size.
Fire Chief Jeremy Hunt told the council that the department’s current budget is flat but that revenues from wildland deployments and grants have funded recent equipment and training. He said the community’s growth now brings larger capital choices for apparatus and facilities.
Hunt described immediate and mid-term needs: remounting two ambulances at about $90,000 each using wildland revenue rather than buying new $350,000–$400,000 units; replacing older turnout gear (remaining replacement cost estimated at $132,184); and a range of vehicle decisions for ladder and engine apparatus. He said a new ladder truck could cost about $2.2 million with a three-year delivery, while a full refurbishment of the existing 2001 ladder could be done for roughly $880,000 with a 12-month turnaround. Engine replacement costs are estimated at about $1,134,000 with a similar multi-year delivery expectation.
On facilities, Hunt said that growth has pushed response needs toward adding station capacity and that a modest two-bay station sized 8,000–12,000 square feet would likely cost roughly $2.1 million to $3.8 million depending on plan and contingencies. He said placement would be informed by call-volume data and that staff will prepare a location report for council consideration.
Hunt and councilmembers discussed grant opportunities, including a potential Rural EMS grant that could be used to replace ambulances or upgrade equipment. Hunt noted that regional partners benefiting from Smithfield’s services should share financial responsibility for apparatus and station costs when appropriate and that those arrangements can be negotiated.
