For the first time in a quarter century, borough fire fighters have four new trucks in service. The borough bought a used ladder truck, two pumper trucks and a 2017 Ford Explorer for about $600,000 - the cost of a single, brand new fire engine, Chief Robert Gottschalk said.
Last year, borough officials began considering buying a new truck to replace a 1973 American LaFrance Snorkel truck. Buying it brand new wasn’t an option, borough Manager Joe Kauer said, considering the amount of fire equipment the borough needed.
Among the equipment bought were a 2008 Pierce Ladder Truck to replace the 1973 vehicle, a 2004 Pierce Pumper to replace a 1977 pumper truck and a 2017 Ford Explorer to replace a 2001 Ford Expedition that needed extensive repairs. The borough also bought a 1993 fire engine from Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department that will be used as a rescue and reserve engine.