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Bloomfield council approves purchase of heavy rescue truck for fire department
Summary
Council voted to use a $65,000 allocation to buy a 2005 heavy-rescue truck for $45,000, citing improved rescue capacity and an onboard Cascade air-fill system; the city will list its current Jaws/utility truck for sale to recoup funds.
Bloomfield’s city council voted to approve buying a used 2005 heavy-rescue truck to expand the fire department’s rescue capabilities.
A fire-department representative told the council the truck, located in Floyd, Iowa, is being offered for $45,000 and would be purchased from an existing $65,000 line item in this year’s budget. The presenter said the truck includes a Cascade system capable of filling about 35 SCBA bottles on scene and has enclosed space for water/ice-rescue gear, ropes and other specialized equipment.
“I'm asking permission to use that $65,000 to purchase this heavy rescue for $45,000, get it reskinned and get the radios on it,” the presenter said, explaining the department intends to sell the current F‑350 utility/Jaws truck and return proceeds to the city budget.
Council discussion noted the age and mileage (reported as about 65,000 miles) and recent market volatility for used apparatus following natural-disaster losses elsewhere. A council member said the proposed swap would avoid buying a new apparatus while restoring needed capacity.
The council approved the purchase and directed staff to list the existing Jaws truck for sale to offset the expense.
The next administrative steps reported were finalizing the purchase, outfitting radios and equipment, and placing the surplus vehicle on the market; the presenter said the department expects to request funds again next year if further new-equipment purchases are needed.
