The Medford Area Fire Commission met Wednesday night. By a 9 to 3 vote, the commission approved the purchase of land adjacent to the firehall. They approved paying for treasurer clerical work through the Medford city hall staff at a cost not to exceed $100 per quarter.
Medford firefighter John Bauer presented information on a new ladder truck. Bauer indicated that an internet search of firetruck dealers nationwide yielded a short list of qualified used ladder trucks. One truck that drew the interest of the commissioners is a 2011 Pierce demonstrator model. Bauer told the group that this ladder truck has never been owned by a department and has been shown by the manufacturer at various training and display exercises. The vehicle is covered by a new truck warranty with 5 years of warranty coverage. The asking price of the demo truck is just over $870,000, which compares to the cost of a newly ordered comparable unit which would be over $1 million.
Several commissioners expressed the sentiment that an investment such as this should be for a new truck with warranty instead of a used vehicle. Chief Fales was asked if this was considered a new truck, would the tax district increase their contribution from the $200,000 which has been committed for a used vehicle, to the original $400,000 which had been allocated for a new ladder truck? He indicated that decision would be up to the city’s Community Development Authority.
The joint fire commissioners and C.D.A. will get a chance to “Kick the tires” of the 2011 Pierce ladder truck on Saturday March 23rd at the Medford Firehall. The proposed ladder truck would replace a 33 year old unit and increase the ladder height from 80 to 100 feet.
