Cooperative Fire Engine Purchase Yields Benefits
W/0420/fire truck/ecb — left to right;
Westmont FD Chf Frank
Trout; Mayor James Addington;
Mayor Betty Cheever; DG FD Chf
Lanny Russell.
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The Village of Downers Grove and Westmont recently combined efforts to purchase four identical fire
engines which should provide excellent service to both
municipalities for many years to come.
The cooperative purchase arrangement evolved
through conversations between Westmont Fire Chief
Frank Trout and Downers Grove Fire Chief Lanson
Russell. By combining forces on developing specifications and purchasing four identical pumpers, both Villages reaped considerable savings.
The engines are identical 1995 Pierce Sabres, manufactured by Pierce of Appleton, Wisconsin. They were
picked up by both Departments' personnel from the
factory in Appleton and driven back. After a period of
training to familiarize crews with the new equipment,
the new engines were put into service at the end of
April.
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Westmont also lowered its costs by paying cash to
Pierce in advance for the entire amount of the purchase
and by using some creative financing. The Village took
out a loan from its own existing water fund account
(accrued for future improvements to the water system)
to be paid back at the same interest rate that would be
made from investing the same funds.
By financing the purchase of the engines in this
manner, Westmont saved over $90,000 compared to
what it would have cost to purchase using conventional
dealer/bank financing.
Both Fire Departments used in-house committees to
develop the specifications for the new pumpers. During the planning process, they inspected numerous new
fire engines and made factory visits. This meticulous
process ended with the new engines being made to
meet the specific fire suppression needs of both municipalities.
The engines are designed to carry 500 gallons of
water on board and are capable of pumping at least
1500 gallons per minute. To meet latest safety specifications, the crew cab is completely enclosed and will hold
up to six firefighters. Each engine will carry approximately 3500 feet of fire hose of varying diameters.
The all aluminum body features many over-sized
compartments to house auto accident extrication
equipment. Each engine will carry its own electrical
power generator.
To allow for clearer emergency incident communication and to reduce the occupational noise exposure
from sirens, air horns and engine noise, a headphone
communication system has been included.
The entire vehicle's operating controls are monitored by a computer microprocessor to provide feedback during operations and maintenance. •
June 1995 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 23
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