"We need the truck ASAP," March said. "Right now, we have a Halifax ladder truck and they need it, so we're in a hurry to get our replacement here."

The fire service for Sydney and surrounding areas has been moving equipment around, making do, since heavy rainfall in October caused extensive flooding and millions of dollars in damage to homes and infrastructure, including 28 fire department vehicles.

The new truck will be stationed in Sydney, and their current truck will be moved to North Sydney.

Still, North Sydney should not feel bad about getting a second-hand truck, March said. Their current aerial truck is a 1988 model with a 75-foot ladder, while the one being transferred from Sydney was built in 2012, and can reach 109 feet.

The new truck in Sydney will have an aerial ladder that can rotate 360 degrees, March said.

"The truck we're buying is a little different than the one that's currently here," he said. "What they call a 'stick' is just a ladder on the truck, and what we're buying is called a 'platform.'

"At the end of the ladder, there's a bucket that two men can get right in and stand in, much like you see on the Nova Scotia Power trucks. You could put a victim right in the bucket, so it's a much more versatile truck.

"They have a 30-year life expectancy. It's expensive outright to buy, but for what that piece of equipment does, it's not that bad, when you divide $1.3 million by 30 years, when you look at the life-saving and structural firefighting ability and protection of equipment, and safety for firefighters."

Depending on which option is chosen, the council could take up the matter as an action item in February, Sullivan said.

The 2005-model Ferrara Fire Apparatus truck was discussed Tuesday during the city's Public Safety Committee meeting.

The Northport fire department is recommending the truck be disposed of as surplus, according to Fire Chief Bart Marshall. Marshall was unsure of how much the fire truck would fetch at auction. The truck has been stripped of useful spare equipment, he said. The department is also recommending the city dispose of a 2000 Ford Expedition, which has been used as a command vehicle.

So far, three regional volunteer departments have expressed interest in the fire truck, Marshall said. The department consulted with the county's volunteer fire department association.

The departments are in the Englewood community, Sipsey Valley and in Fayette County, Marshall said. Marshall recommended donating the truck be donated to Sipsey Valley, the closest of the three, if the council decides not to sell the truck, allowing it to be close enough to remain a local resource for the city.