Wyoming council authorizes $296,882.99 refurbishment of 25-year-old aerial fire apparatus

The Wyoming City Council on March 17 approved resolution 26-03-38 to authorize refurbishment and repair of the city's 25-year-old aerial fire apparatus. The work will be performed by Blaine Brothers (engine rebuild) and Rosenbauer (comprehensive apparatus refurbishment) for a total amount of $296,882.99.

Fire Chief Bauer summarized the proposal: purchase of a new ladder truck had been on the capital-improvement schedule for 2025 but was deferred while facility projects are completed. A new replacement truck, Chief Bauer said, would cost approximately $1.7 million to $2.2 million and would likely not be delivered until about 2035 after design and production. Given that timeline, the department proposed refurbishing the existing apparatus to ensure continued service delivery for rescue operations and other responses, particularly given the city's industrial park.

Chief Bauer described the scope: Blaine Brothers would perform an initial engine rebuild for about $33,000 (including pump and engine work, oil cooler and radiator replacement, engine block rebuild, tires and rims); Rosenbauer would perform the remainder of the refurbishment to bring non-engine systems up to current standards, including lighting and ladder safety checks. The council heard that suspension work had been done last year and that transport costs to send the truck to the vendor (out of state) would be managed by staff.

Council members said most questions had been addressed at the prior work session. Chair moved approval of the resolution and Member Anstead seconded; the council approved the measure by voice vote with no recorded opposing votes.

The refurbishment effort is expected to begin this fall to avoid losing the unit during facility remodels. Staff will coordinate scheduling, transport and final vendor contracting.