The Jefferson Fire Department is replacing one of its vehicles, but it is not going to happen quickly.

The Jefferson City Council approved purchasing a new pumper truck for the fire department this past February, but the lead time before it can be used is close to 2.5 years. Fire Chief Jack Williams says while they can get the chassis now, the main delay is the back order on the other parts for the new rig. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that not only is the delay on the new truck longer than it was 20 years ago when they purchased the current pumper truck that was 1.5 years lead time, the cost for it has also substantially grown.

“The truck that we ordered is the exact same truck that we ordered 20 years ago, it was $250,000, now it’s $420,000 for the exact same truck. Although we did add one safety feature to this truck that keeps the firemen in the cab when fighting field fires instead of standing out on the platform.”

Williams notes that the new truck will be the primary vehicle that is used for field fires, due mostly because of the added safety measure. He explains the current pumper truck is no longer certified.

“The pump is rated, like the one that we have that we’re replacing, is rated 750 gallons a minute. If the pump can’t do that, it can’t be certified. And this truck is down into the 300 gallons per minute. It’s called a ‘front mount pump fire truck,’ and Grand Junction (Fire Department) is in the same boat that we are, can’t get parts for them anymore.”  

Williams adds that they can continue to use the current vehicle, along with other trucks to fight field fires, and states that firefighters will continue to use caution when standing on the platforms for future fires. The total cost for the truck that the City Council approved was $420,498 from Toyne Incorporated in Breda, Iowa.