The Crossville city council unanimously approved the purchase of two new fire trucks for the Crossville Fire Department during the regular October council meeting.
The two trucks include a new pumper to replace a 1993 model truck, currently the oldest in the fleet, that will be traded in on the purchase for $12,000 credit. Council also approved the purchase of a 107-foot single axle ladder truck that will put the current 1994 model 75 foot ladder truck in reserve.
The top truck is similar to the new city pumper and
the bottom photo represents the city's new ladder truck
Council also approved using a Texas-based cooperative to make these purchases that allow governments across the country access to purchasing through the Texas inter-local cooperation Act similar to the Tennessee state contract purchases. This buyers cooperative will reduce the price of the fire apparatus by some 10 percent as the cooperative bid out the firetruck purchase contracts almost 2 years ago and new contracts raise the costs by 10 percent. The city's purchase must be completed by the end of the month when the new prices go into effect. Those savings will allow the city to purchase the necessary additional material to fully equip the trucks for less than the amount of money saved. Many other Tennessee cities and counties use the same cooperative to make purchases.
The cost of the two trucks with the cooperative pricing comes to $1,605,172.54 with the addition of $162,047 for equipping the trucks the total cost is $1,779,249.54. The city will pay for the trucks and then finance the purchase over 10 years. Using the cooperative purchase and prepay program saves the city $185,000 on the two trucks over buying them another way.
During the budget process, the council had approved one truck to replace the old pumper for an estimated $850,000 but as the department and new city manager Greg Wood began looking at the needs of the department and it was determined that the originally proposed pumper and “snozzle” truck with an articulated arm and a nozzle on the end would not meet the needs of the city.
Council discussion on firetruck purchases
The current ladder truck is only a year newer then the truck being traded in and mechanical troubles were cropping up. Due to its age, it would have to be replaced soon as well. In addition, the 75-foot ladder was no longer adequate to reach all the buildings in the community for adequate fire protection.
A team of fire department officers did additional research and put together additional plans for department improvements. With the addition of two new trucks, other vehicles can be put in reserve to lengthen the life for those units as well. Also, in the future when another fire station is built, those trucks will be available for use there.
The new pumper will have a 1500 gallon per minute pump (GPM) and a 1000 gallon tank. It also will have an enhanced foam system with the capability to pump and roll. The foam is important for dealing with flammable liquids and incidents at the airport. The truck will also have jaws of life on board.
The new ladder truck includes a 1500 GPM pump and a 500-gallon water tank with a standard foam system. The ladder will allow the department to serve Cumberland Medical Center and several industries.
Delivery time on new firetrucks is about 11 months and the city should receive the new equipment around September of 2018. Deputy Chief Chris South said that the new trucks have new and better technology since the 1993-94 trucks and the new trucks with single axles are easier to drive and get where they need to go.
The motion to buy the trucks made by councilman J. H. Graham included writing a check to pay for the trucks and access the savings. Council may look at financing the purchase later on. The motion was unanimously approved.
