The city council decided Monday at a special meeting to forego its normal purchasing policy to dole out $369,500 for a Pierce Pumper truck.
Purchasing the demo model from Darch Fire in Ayr, ON. will save the city about $10,500.
City council included $380,000 in the 2017 capital budget for the purchase of a new pumper truck.
Instead of waiting months, city council decided to fast-track the purchase.
Fire Chief John Whelan said advancing the purchase also means the truck will be delivered in about one month, instead of waiting up to one year.
The city’s fleet of fire trucks includes eight Pierce trucks.
“They are top-of-the-line trucks with a great reputation. It generally takes more than 12 months to spec a truck out,” said Whelan, adding the trucks are built in Florida.
He said the department has purchased trucks from Darch Fire in the past.
“The serviceability is excellent. The truck is set up the same as other units and is compatible with our seven stations,” said the chief.