HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-2007 Fire Department Finds Great Deal In New Pumper piTll � ,
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MEDIA RELEASE
January 23, 2007
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Chief Luther Taylor, South Bend Fire Department, 235-7553
Fire Department Finds Great Deal In New Pumper
The South Bend Fire Department will soon have the opportunity to increase its fire-fighting
capability,while also saving the City money. On Monday night the Common Council approved
Chief Taylor's application for authorization of$100,000 to be utilized for the special purchase
and upgrade of a used fire truck from the West Milton Fire Company, Inc. The proposed truck, a
1991 Pierce Dash "pumper", comes outfitted with special features that would be advantageous to
the South Bend Fire Department. According to Chief Taylor, the purchase of the used pumper
will save the City approximately $200,000 when compared to the purchase of a similarly-
equipped new truck.
"The availability of this Pierce Dash pumper provides the department with the unique
opportunity to obtain equipment at a substantial savings," commented Chief Taylor.
The Pierce Dash was located by Chief Taylor while he was researching new equipment. The fire
truck,though used, is in excellent condition and comes equipped with many of the features that
the Fire Department looks for. The truck has been driven fewer than 20,000 miles, and has an
aluminum chassis which is impervious to rust. Like other pumpers in the SBFD fleet, this Pierce
Dash has an extended bumper and pre-connect hose lines. In addition to meeting the
departmental equipment requirements, this particular vehicle comes with a large diameter
extended intake on the front bumper, and is already painted in the SBFD colors...features that
would otherwise cost the department $16,000 420,000 to add. The Pierce Dash is also outfitted
with an extra large water tank.
"The new truck will have the largest water tank in our fleet," said the Chief. "This will be
particularly advantageous, as we plan to use the truck to fight field fires and other fires where
hydrants are not available."
While the cost of the used Pierce Dash represents a substantial savings over the cost of a new
truck, which runs in the range of$325,000, it also represents a savings over other used fire trucks
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with similar features. In a country-wide search, the average used fire truck for sale was older,
more expensive or less well-equipped than the truck being offered by the West Milton Fire
Company, Inc.
"Cities all around the country are facing the challenges of rising costs and shrinking revenues,"
commented Mayor Luecke. "The discovery and purchase of this fire truck is another great
example of the ways that South Bend is finding to face those tough economic challenges. We
are looking for every opportunity to provide for the needs of our community by making smart
financial decisions."
After gaining approval from the Common Council, the Fire Department plans to pick-up the
truck in February and have it available for service starting in March. The truck will ultimately
be assigned to Fire Station #11 at 3505 Bendix Dr.
The acquisition of the Pierce Dash will be the Fire Department's latest move in what has been a
successful long term program of replacement and refurbishment. According to Chief Taylor, the
SBFD's fire pumpers rating has gone from "poor"to "Excellent" in the last 15 years.
"We have visited similarly-sized departments all over Indiana, and we have come to believe that
the SBFD fleet is among the top rated in the state," said Chief Taylor.
The purchase of the new pumper is indicative of a larger effort by the SBFD to remain at the
technological forefront in providing necessary services while keeping costs in check. In 2006
the Fire Department increased their use of computing power for fire suppression, received new
800 MHZ radios, refurbished two of the department's existing pumpers and purchased a new
Rescue Unit and Heavy Duty Ambulance (both scheduled to be delivered in 2007).
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