The Smithville Fire Department asking the city’s Board of Aldermen to purchase a used fire truck as a replacement for the department’s fleet.
Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker said the department would like to replace a current truck that is 25 years old. Parker said since the truck was purchased, 65 safety upgrades have been made to the truck. Parker said he likes antique cars but not antique fire trucks.
“I have a little concern with it being there as a first-due apparatus running emergency traffic, you know, through the town,” Parker said. “Concern on a little safety for our firefighters and just the citizens as we go through.”
Parker said he has received approval from the board to pursue a used fire truck based in Texas. Parker said he is pursuing a used fire truck over a new one due to cost.
“We had looked at some new options, and the price of fire trucks is not cheap these days,” Parker said. “So we are exploring all options to get the most bang for our buck.”
Parker said he understands that buying a used truck will put the department back in the same position sooner than buying a new truck. However, Parker said the used truck they are looking at has nothing inherently wrong with it.
“If I were to go off on a cross-country trip, I probably wouldn’t feel as comfortable with a, you know, a 30-year-old or 25-year-old vehicle as I would something that at least is a little newer and has more modern safety features, and you know stuff like that,” Parker said.
Parker said he feels like the aldermen are in full support of him trying to find a better fire truck. Parker said he is not sure when he will approach the board to purchase a used fire truck, as price negotiations are still taking place.