Council wants options, asked chief to check out trucks, get price
The Flomaton Town Council agreed that the fire department needs a ‘new’ firetruck and told Chief Stanton to bring back some money figures before any decision could be made.
The issue of needing a firetruck came up during Tuesday afternoon’s council workshop where no official vote could be taken.
Stanton said the department currently has a 40-year old firetruck it uses as a backup and its 2002 truck was out of service for a few weeks, but Flomaton was able to use a Lambeth Volunteer Fire Department truck in the interim.
Chief Stanton said the 2002 truck quit running two weeks ago. Flomaton’s paid fireman, Jeremey Lee, who also serves as assistant fire chief at Lambeth, was able to borrow Lambeth’s truck to cover Flomaton.
He said the 2002 truck is back in service and the Lambeth truck was scheduled to be returned Tuesday.
“We have got to have another firetruck,” Stanton told the council Monday. “I wouldn’t put another dime in the old truck.”
Stanton said buying a brand new truck was out of the question, not just because of the $600,000 to $800,000 price tag, but he noted if the town ordered one today, it would take two years to have it delivered.
“We’ve got to make a move and we’ve got to move quick,” Stanton said.
Stanton also asked the council to give him a ‘ballpark’ figure on what the council was willing to spend.
Stanton added that Chris White has looked at more than 50 used fire trucks and added that the town could sell the old truck and possibly get about $100,000.
Councilman Roger Adkinson asked for Chief Stanton to get a list of used trucks he was willing to take a chance on and bring it back to the council.
Councilman Jim Johnson said before the council agreed to purchase a firetruck he wanted Stanton and White to go to where the truck was, drive it and make a decision. He also said even if town had the money to buy a new truck they couldn’t wait two years.
Stanton did say they had located a 2003 firetruck in Indiana with low mileage that comes with a one-year warranty for $150,000. He also said there was an updated pump test that passed on that truck. He also noted it was the only used truck located that came with a warranty and is still being used.
“We are one major fire away from a disaster,” said Councilwoman Kay Wagner.
Councilman Roger Adkinson asked Stanton to give the council some options, noting if it’s $200,000, let the council know.
The council will hold its next council meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, at town hall.
