Fire department expects answer soon on new engine

Libby Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) officials should learn tonight whether the offer they made on a 10-year old fire engine in Albany, N.Y., will be accepted by the Hudson City Council, giving the local agency its first new fire engine since 1999.

LVFD Assistant Chief Steve Lauer and firefighter Gary Wood made an offer two weekends ago on a 1993 KME 1,500 gallon-per-minute, 750-gallon reserve pumper. The Fenton Fire Equipment Co., of Albany, is the broker for the Hudson volunteer agency seeking to sell the fire engine.

“They are a volunteer department just like us,” Lauer said. “They wanted $35,000, but we offered $34,000. I’m hoping they accept. We feel like they will.”

Libby City Council members have approved $59,000 for the purchase of a new pumper to replace LVFD’s aging No. 1 engine, a 36-year-old Ford that recently failed a water-pressure capacity test.

If the sale is approved, Lauer estimated the new pumper could be in operation by mid-December.

“We still got some add-ons,” Lauer said of the necessary equipment to customize the pumper to meet LVFD’s specifications that includes radio, hoses and fittings. With transportation, which Lauer estimated to be about $3,000, the final cost could be between $44,000 and $47,000.

“We’re approved for $59,000, so we feel like we’re getting a good deal,” Lauer said.

The engine has relatively low milage: 23,084.

Other specifications include a 300 horsepower Cummins diesel engine, a 3060 Allison transmission, a stainless-steel body, seating for 10 firefighters with nine SCBA seats, capable of pumping 1,500-gallons per minute with a 750-gallon poly tank, an electrical generator, and it has 4,632 engine hours.

LVFD is anxious to replace the aging 1,000-gallon pumper, to maintain its Class 3 rating, Fire Chief Tom Wood said. Wood said the old pumper likely would not bring a high resale price. However, there still is a need.

 “More likely, we’d like to see a department that does not worry about ISO ratings get it,” Wood said. One department that might be interested, he said, could be West Kootenai.

 Lauer said after learning Tuesday’s decision department officials will know whether they will be making transport arrangements or going back to the bargaining table.