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FAAC to review MRI draft report as members discuss apparatus service life and inspection costs
Summary
The Fire Apparatus Assessment Committee learned MRI’s draft assessment was being finalized and expected July 15, and set review meetings for July 18 and July 21; members discussed NFPA service-life guidance and routine inspection costs insurers require.
The Fire Apparatus Assessment Committee (FAAC) met by Zoom on July 14, 2025, and was told that MRI’s draft apparatus assessment report was being finalized and expected to be delivered to the committee on Tuesday, July 15.
Mike McQuillen of MRI told the committee that MRI has the necessary information for the report and that colleague David Houghton had obtained the required ISO data. Triola said he would forward the draft to the full committee once he received it and asked members to send questions and comments to him; he said he would consolidate and forward those items to MRI for response later in the week.
The committee scheduled a meeting for Friday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m. to review MRI’s draft and discuss recommended apparatus actions, and an additional meeting on Monday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. to resolve any outstanding items before the Select Board meeting on July 22 at 7:10 p.m.
FAAC member Eric Balles asked McQuillen how insurance companies assess aging fire apparatus. McQuillen said the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidance commonly used in the industry recommends about 15 years of frontline service plus five years in reserve — a 20-year total service-life guideline — before retirement consideration. He also summarized routine annual inspections insurers require, citing approximate costs of $2,000 for pump testing and $1,000 for aerial-truck inspections.
Balles proposed obtaining copies of inspection reports because they could be useful both for understanding insurers’ requirements and for documenting equipment condition. No formal action on procurement or replacement policy was taken during the July 14 meeting.
The minutes record the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. on a motion that passed 5-0. The minutes state they include all motions and votes taken and note that the minutes were approved on July 21, 2025 by a 4-0 vote.
