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Cowan Township authorizes replacement of fire command vehicle after mechanical failure
Summary
After a 19‑year vehicle suffered a critical mechanical failure and was taken out of service, the board approved the immediate purchase and upfitting of a replacement command vehicle (budgeted in capital accounts); staff noted a likely 4–5 month lead time and an interim repurposed vehicle will be used.
Cowan Township on July 9 authorized the purchase of a replacement fire department command vehicle after officials said the existing 'command 2' suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure and severe corrosion.
Director Stackhouse explained that the 19‑year‑old pickup — originally used by another department before being repurposed as a command vehicle — could not be repaired because the motor could not be disassembled and the frame showed severe corrosion. "That vehicle had to immediately, due to reliability risk, had to be taken out of service," he said.
Staff presented a replacement and apparatus plan showing the anticipated total cost for the replacement and upfitting at $108,620.12, a figure the presenters said is under the amount budgeted for 2027. Officials told the board there is a 4–5 month lead time to order a factory unit and then additional time to upfit it with lighting and radios; in the interim a utility vehicle purchased previously has been repurposed for limited command use.
Chair moved to authorize the purchase at a not‑to‑exceed price (language discussed at the meeting); the motion was seconded and carried 5–0.
Staff said the purchase will come from the township's capital replacement account and that the township expects to sell or transfer the old vehicle through the fire company when feasible. No delivery or upfit timeline was announced at the meeting; staff committed to circulate a clearer schedule once vendor timelines are confirmed.
