Unity VFD in Plum to rethink vehicle purchase plan after council fails to approve funding
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Plans to replace an aging rescue truck at Unity Volunteer Fire Department in Plum were sent back to square one after council opted not to contribute the bulk of its cost.
Instead, elected leaders contracted with Emergency Vehicle Response to do a fire apparatus fleet analysis for the borough and develop a 15-year plan for future purchases.
Cost of the evaluation was estimated at $29,000.
“One of the things we really need to look at across the board are the staffing and equipment needs for all four fire companies, not just Unity,” council president Dave Odom said May 12. “Given that this could potentially be a substantial financial impact to the borough, we want to make sure we’re looking at this thing holistically before we make that type of a financial investment.
EVR is run by Michael Wilburn, a career firefighter with 27 years of experience working for the New York City Fire Department. He also served on the Fire Department of New York’s apparatus purchasing committee and is a contributing editor for firefighter-related publications.
His company was recommended by the Plum Fire Chiefs Association.
“Having a professional company come in who understands what it takes to do this is what we need to not only make this decision, but make decisions for the future of the fire companies,” Odom said.
Unity’s rescue truck is 21 years old with a rusting frame. It is expected to be put out of service within the year.
The plan was to purchase a new rescue truck from Pierce Manufacturing for an estimated $750,000, with $510,000 of that coming from borough coffers.
The rest would come from a $200,000, 20-year, low-interest state loan and fundraising.
“Currently we’re dropping back and punting,” Unity fire Chief P.J. Mudar said. “The deal that we had is gone. The broker has moved on to sell those trucks to somebody else. That cost saving is gone. We’re going to drop back and see what fits within our budget.”
Mudar said the old truck still functions, but is scheduled to go in for lighting repairs later this month.
The department plans to keep its new truck specifications.
The new rescue would have a mobile air compressor, which would help power some tools and be used to replenish firefighters’ breathing apparatuses. Unity uses compressors from other departments to fill its cylinders.
It also could hold other specialized equipment and have struts used to stabilize large vehicles at crash sites and homes damaged by trees or other means.
Mudar said his department cannot afford anything without borough support.
“(Council’s) looking longer term on apparatus replacements, so we just have to wait for them,” Mudar said.
Council had tabled action on Unity’s request at its March and April meetings.
Unity years ago bought a 2005 ladder truck at $750,000 with $500,000 from the borough, and a 2015 pumper at about $535,000, using $435,000 from the borough.