Mountain Grove council approves pursuit of Firemaster demo truck amid rising costs and long lead times

Mountain Grove’s fire chief, Chief Gibbons, updated the council on a busy July and recommended the city pursue a Firemaster demo engine to replace an aging pumper.

Gibbons said the department handled 111 calls in July and credited added night staffing at the new fire station with providing extra hands on responses. He presented three demo trucks from manufacturers that could be delivered as soon as September, noting prices ranged roughly from $696,000 to $825,000. Gibbons cited an NFPA recommendation that frontline apparatus move to reserve status after roughly 10–15 years and said the city’s frontline engine, built around 2000, will soon reach that window.

Council members discussed financing and grant timing. Gibbons said a grant program that could help open in February, but typically requires an 18–24 month timeline and a local match (he cited a 10% match example). Staff and council noted lead times of multiple years for custom-built trucks and that demo trucks can be a practical way to shorten delivery time and limit price increases.

After questions about what would happen to the replaced vehicle and how payments would fit into next year’s budget, a council member moved that the city pursue purchase of the Firemaster demo truck and obtain a letter of commitment from the city to secure financing. The motion passed on a voice vote; staff will return with final financing details and a letter of commitment if needed.

The council’s next step is for staff to secure financing figures, prepare contract terms, and place a letter of commitment so the vendor can finalize procurement. If the council agrees to proceed, payments would begin in the next fiscal year and the replaced pumper would likely be retained as a reserve engine.