Park operator David Lovewell owns it but said the International Fleetstar is just for show – it does not compete in mud runs at the park. “Some guy said he didn’t want it anymore, so we put some tires under it and put it out there.”

By buying a new fire truck, Tilly said they expect to get 45 years of service out of it. The new truck is a significant upgrade over the 1974 iteration, which only has a 55-foot ladder.

The old one is being stored at the township’s water tower. Tilly said they plan to run advertising for the truck’s auction in the spring.

The auction date is not final, and Tilly is considering a mid-April to early May time frame.

Tilly said the township sold three fire trucks through an auction format. The last one was a tanker, which sold for $1,500.

As the city began to grow, a second company was organized and a hose cart was purchased to provide protection for the south part of town. Progress in architecture brought higher buildings and necessitated ladders to reach higher rooftops. As the city expanded even further, runs became long and often firefighters were exhausted by the time they reached the scene of a blaze. Another team was organized at the central station and a truck with hooks, ladders and ropes was added 

A total of $15,000 for five sets of turn out gear? They have a shelf-life of 10 years, so keeping purchases on a schedule smooths out the costs across multiple budgets.

What about $1,200 for 15 sets of water rescue boots and gloves, $1,990 for two sets of rescue harness kits and $500 for 10 sets of carabiners? A water rescue operation has to act fast, so it’s best if responders don’t have to worry about available equipment. The incredulous look at the Fire Department’s small equipment costs revealed a case of thinking smarter, not harder — and safer.