The Burnet Fire Department recently added a truck to the bay with a ladder that measures 100 feet. The truck gives the department a big tool in not just fighting fires but other emergencies, including water rescues in which firefighters can extend the ladder to get people to safety.
City officials have known for a number of years a new truck was needed because of the ages of others. The department owns one that is 21 years old and another that’s 29. While the trucks “look nice, pretty and shiny and work OK,” City Manager David Vaughn said their ages forced officials to look for better options.
In May, the city council approved the purchase of the ladder truck for $1.1 million. Repairs and upgrades to the older trucks could easily hit the $500,000 to $600,000 mark.
To help pay for the new truck, the Burnet Economic Development Corp. pledged $200,000, and Emergency Services District No. 7 pledged an additional $126,000. The Burnet City Council previously approved $300,000 for the purchase for a total of $626,000.
Vaughn said the remaining balance of $474,000 will come out of the 90-day reserves, where the city borrows money from itself and pays itself back.
When he considered the options of replacing parts of the old trucks with new ones versus buying a new truck, Vaughn said a new truck was the way to go.