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Safety Committee recommends Council back $128,000 rolling-chassis purchase to secure med unit slot
Summary
The committee voted to recommend that Council approve purchase of a $128,000 rolling chassis so the village can secure a production slot for a replacement med unit slated for 2030; Fire Chief Seifert warned the department is short two medics and is relying on overtime until hires are in place.
The Richfield Village Safety Committee voted to recommend that the Village Council approve purchase of a rolling chassis for $128,000 to reserve the village’s place in the production schedule for a replacement med unit.
Fire Chief Seifert told the committee the new med unit has not yet entered the manufacturer’s production line and that buying a rolling chassis now would “secure our place with Lifeline and avoid delays” for the unit scheduled to be replaced in 2029–2030. Seifert said the chassis price is $128,000 and framed the purchase as a timing decision to avoid longer waits later.
Seifert also reported staffing pressures in the Fire Department: Eric Boleman officially retired on Feb. 5, 2026, and another medic, identified only as Brian, transferred to Coventry, leaving the department two medics short. Seifert said the department is covering open shifts with overtime and provided an overtime comparison for 2024–2026 showing increased costs; he recommended reviewing the fire-truck fund balance against anticipated expenses.
Mr. Hudak moved that the Safety Committee recommend Council approve purchase of the rolling chassis for $128,000 “based on the recommendation of the Fire Department.” Mrs. Beshara seconded the motion; after a roll-call vote the motion carried unanimously. Committee members did not provide a recorded numerical tally in the minutes.
Seifert said a posting for new personnel will go live March 15, 2026, for 15 days, with salaries budgeted beginning March 1; he estimated new hires could be in place by the end of April. Seifert added the department may receive the new med unit by late April or early May if production timing allows, but emphasized the chassis purchase is intended to lock in a later production slot around 2030.
The committee also reviewed vehicle replacement timing and identified one potential near-term concern: Car 2 currently has 102,000 miles and “may become problematic by the end of 2026,” Seifert said. The committee approved sending personnel to a multi-day Large Animal Rescue course, which Seifert described as moderately expensive but justified by recent rescue calls.
The Safety Committee adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
