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Washington Terrace council approves five-year fire department capital replacement plan
Summary
Council approved a five-year Fire Department capital replacement priority plan that places ladder replacement in 2028, sets other equipment replacements through 2033, and directs staff to integrate funding options into the budget; funding sources remain undecided.
The Washington Terrace City Council on April 17, 2026 approved a five-year Fire Department capital replacement priority plan that places the ladder truck replacement in 2028 while directing staff to identify funding options and integrate priorities into the budget.
"I re-vamped how the Department administers the equipment replacement plan," Fire Chief Clay Peterson said, outlining a prioritization based on age, maintenance, usage and funding. He told council members that buying used apparatus carries unknowns and added that future grant availability is uncertain.
Chief Peterson said a ladder truck is necessary because "of the tall story buildings that are coming into the city," and noted typical lifespans: "there is a 20-25 life span on a ladder truck." He and Finance Director Shari' Garrett gave schedule details the plan staffs to hold as placeholders: ladder replacement in 2028, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) in 2030, radios in 2032, and a skid unit chassis swap in 2033. Garrett also noted the city purchased the current ladder (a 2002 model bought used) in 2015 for $220,000.
Peterson also reviewed operational context from the quarterly report: 32 percent of recent calls involve nursing homes and the department has seen an increase in wildland and grass fires during a dry, hot season. He urged council to consider targeted fireworks or no-fire zones this summer and noted the department will participate in an Emergency Preparedness Fair on May 2.
Garrett emphasized that council's approval was to set priorities, not to commit to immediate purchases. "Approval is not locking Council into anything, but the plan will be used as a guiding tool as to how to plan the funding," she said.
Council Member Jeff West moved to approve the Fire Department Major Budget Items Five Year Capital Replacement Priority Plan; Council Member Cheryl Parkinson seconded. The motion passed unanimously (4–0). The council directed staff to return with funding strategies and to place markers in the next budget cycle so the city can pursue grants and other options.
Next steps: staff will treat the approved priorities as planning placeholders, continue to explore grant opportunities, and report back to council with funding recommendations and timing for any purchases.
