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Fire chief: new engine financing set for February; ISO review and hydrant markers planned
Summary
Sterling Fire Chief Brian Rife reported financing to prepay the new fire engine chassis will be in place in February 2026, noted a current ISO rating of 5 with a scheduled evaluation, and described a reflective-hydrant marker project estimated at $3,600 to improve hydrant visibility funded partly by donations.
Fire Chief Brian Rife updated the Sterling City Commission on Jan. 20 about equipment and preparedness projects for the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department.
Rife said financing arrangements to prepay the chassis for a new fire engine should be finalized in February 2026; initial financing approval from First Bank in May 2025 reflected a 4.95% interest rate, but rates have since fallen and are currently about 4.24%, which may lower the cost of borrowing when the financing issues in February. He said no formal action was required by the Commission at the meeting.
Rife also reported the Fire and Public Works departments are preparing for an Insurance Services Office (ISO) evaluation, which reviews water distribution capacity, hydrant flow rates and fire department capabilities; Sterling currently holds an ISO rating of 5. To help firefighters locate hydrants at night and in adverse weather, Rife described a reflective-hydrant marker project with a total estimated cost of $3,600 that will be funded in part by private and corporate donations. The first phase will place markers along Broadway Avenue between Garfield and Adams, followed by markers near schools and Sterling College and continuing into residential areas as funding allows.
No formal action was taken on these items; the Commission thanked Rife for the update.
