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Springfield approves purchase of used ladder truck as fire department battles staffing strains
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Summary
The commission approved spending up to $900,000 to buy a 2015 Ferrara 100‑foot ladder truck and moved one‑time revenues to cover the cost, after the chief and union described staffing shortages, forced overtime and temporary station closures that prompted the purchase.
The Springfield City Commission voted to authorize the purchase of a used 2015 Ferrara 100‑foot ladder truck for up to $900,000 and approved related fund transfers and supplemental appropriations to pay for the one‑time purchase.
City officials said the buy is a response to two pressures: rising new‑apparatus prices and persistent staffing shortages in the Springfield Fire Rescue Division. “From a 1,300,000 ladder truck in 2020 that is now $2,400,000 today is just not sustainable for us right now,” the fire chief said, arguing a used truck is a “gap filler” that can serve on the front line and as a backup while the city stabilizes finances and waits longer build times.
Scott Wolf, president of Springfield Professional Firefighters Local 333, pressed the commission on staffing concerns at the meeting. “We are currently operating with fewer firefighters than what is required to meet the demands of this city,” Wolf said, saying mandatory overtime, station closures and fewer available units increase risk to residents and firefighters.
City finance staff told commissioners the purchase will be funded with one‑time revenue from property sales moved into the permanent improvement fund, not ongoing income tax revenue. “We wanna be careful to not use our ongoing revenues for something that would be an ongoing cost,” the finance staff member said while explaining the transfer and the supplemental appropriation.
Council papers and officials said the truck was inspected by the fire chief and fleet maintenance staff and is scheduled for pickup within days of the vote; officials estimated 2–3 weeks to mount equipment, apply markings and put the truck into service at Station 8.
The commission approved the emergency ordinances and the purchase by roll call. Commissioners cited the long lead times for new apparatus and the need to protect public safety while recruiting and training more personnel.
