Halton Hills Council has approved an additional $250,000 for the purchase of a new aerial ladder fire truck for the local fire department, haltonhillstoday.ca reported.
The decision, made during this week’s council meeting, takes the budget for the new vehicle from $1.8 million to $2.05 million, the report said. The additional funds to compensate for an increase in the cost of parts, labor and more will come out of the town’s equipment replacement reserve, the report said.
Once purchased, the new aerial ladder truck will replace the Halton Hills Fire Department’s (HHFD) sole ladder truck, which staff says is at the end of its service life, according to the report. It’s a 2003 model that was bought in 2004.
The current truck has a 65-foot-long ladder and can dispense 5,000 litres of water per minute. However, staff says that height is not considered sufficient for the needs of the municipality and a better-suited one is required.
Citing logistical and economic issues, the town will be opting to buy a stock or demo model aerial ladder truck instead of a custom one this time around, the report said.
The town will buy from the lowest bidder that complies with what the municipality is looking for, according to the report.