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Central Nebraska | I've been a member of our smaller community fire department for quite sometime. In this area, new structural engines are kept for a long time. Many first due engines are right around the 20 year mark and still functioning as intended. Depending on the community, backups range from 30-50 yrs in age. Call volume plays heavily into the replacement discussion as well. Do you run a few calls a day, month, week, or year? In our particular department, we're finding that around 25-30 year mark, little things start adding up quickly and you have to start spending 1000 here and 5000 there. Mileage is the least weight in whether the rig is in good shape. Look more at the pump and plumbing. Will the pump pass certification? Or as we found, even if we spend a load of money fixing our pump it would barely pass certification testing. Do the valves and piping support your needs? Do the tires need replacement? How's the frame and other components?
Things like that. Also keep in mind, it takes anywhere from 3-5 years from the signed order to delivery. At some point everything needs updated so having a replacement schedule really helps in terms of budgeting. Sometimes a newer used rig is the best right and sometimes new is the best choice. As mentioned earlier, it's taxpayer money. Our job is to spend it as wisely as we can. Also check with your ISO rating folks. Their rating helps to determine insurance rates. I'm going to ruffle some feathers with this one too...As farmers we look at things like fire engines as they don't need fancy and can get by just fine and such. Are we willing to go back to planting with the old 7000 planters behind a 4430? They work just fine and do the same job without all the frills and stuff that we have on new equipment. Just something to consider. | |
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New fire truck for small fire district.
