West Chester fire chief asks trustees to buy two used reserve fire engines to shore up aging fleet

West Chester Township Fire Chief Rick Prince told the Board of Trustees on Aug. 12 that the department’s increased call volume and an aging fleet have created a pressing need for additional reserve apparatus.

"In 1998 our call volume was about 4,604 calls a year. In 2025 our call volume is now approaching 10,000," Prince said, noting that the department currently fields five frontline apparatus and two reserve trucks but that four of seven vehicles are out of service for extended repairs. He said the department had 206 open repair requests on its fleet management system and that lead times to replace a fire truck can be at least four years.

Prince proposed purchasing two used E-ONE pumper trucks (one offered by Vogelpohl Fire Equipment and one previously owned by a rural West Virginia volunteer department) and upfitting them for reserve service. Administration identified a planning-level estimate of roughly $1,600,000 to buy and equip two trucks; Prince said one demo truck had about 2,000 miles and 56 engine hours and the other had 3,900 miles and 251 engine hours.

Trustees asked whether additional mechanics would be hired. Prince said the township currently has two mechanics and is in discussions with administration and neighboring Liberty Township about sharing a mechanic or otherwise expanding maintenance capacity so preventive-maintenance programs can be performed thoroughly.

Administration also presented several requisitions to procure vehicles, upfitting materials, radios and related equipment to ready the used apparatus for service; trustees approved items 8–19, including the two pumper purchases and upfitting requisitions, at roll call.

Next steps: With the board’s approval of the requisitions, staff will proceed with the purchases and contracting for upfits; Prince and administration said they will continue exploring staffing and maintenance-sharing arrangements to improve fleet availability.