The Springfield (IL) Fire Department is getting a series of upgrades in the city’s budget, including $6 million for new apparatus, new stations, and new staff as part of the department’s station and apparatus initiatives, reports newschannel20.com.
“This is a gamechanger for providing services to our community. Thank you from the men and women of the Springfield Fire Department!” the department writes on Facebook.
Officials say the funding is coming at the right time, as 13 of the department’s vehicles are more than 15 years old, and eight are older than 20. A Center for Public Safety Management study suggests 15 as the maximum vehicle age.
The new trucks will cut the department’s average apparatus age in half. The ball is already rolling with regards to the department applying for new rigs, which boast an 18- to 22-month delivery time.
The report notes that the department is still waiting on a new engine and truck bought from last year’s budget, but supply-chain issues slowed production and an end-of-summer delivery is anticipated.
See the entire council meeting here: