The Colusa City Council has allowed Fire Chief Logan Conley to shop for a deal on a Type 6 Fire Engine, rather than go out to bid.
Conley is using $135,000 in Strike Team Funds to purchase a smaller rollout vehicle, which would save the city money in the long run, officials said.
” The purchasing of a Type 6 Fire Engine will allow the Fire Department to respond with a smaller, lighter, and less expensive unit as our first out engine for all calls that do not meet the need for a Type 1 engine response,” Conley said.
The use of a Type 6 will also greatly extend the years of service for the citys big ladder truck, which isnt really needed on calls that are not structure fires. The Type 6 holds about 300 gallons of water, and could easily manage a small fire or vehicle fire.
” Most of our calls dont require much more than that,” Conley said. ” You usually only get two or three calls a year where you need the Type 1.
Conley said the city usually finances its new vehicles, but due to limited general fund dollars for long term debt, bypassing the proposal process and paying cash for a used vehicle will not only allow him to strike while the iron is hot if a Type 6 becomes available, but will reduce the citys long-term debt, usually 10 years for a vehicle purchase.
Conley said that he will likely purchase the Type 6 truck locally, although it would have to be painted and outfitted with fire equipment, at a cost of about $5,000.
Conley feared that the city would lose a potentially good deal on the price if he had to go back to the City Council for approval.
The Fire Department is using Strike Team money, which is received when Colusa provides firefighters and equipment to help with range and forest fires. –