Lake County Gazette

Highland Park City Council is set to vote on the $1.26 million purchase of a pumper truck for the Highland Park Fire Department. The new truck is expected to be delivered in 49.5 months.

According to the Highland Park City Council agenda for Monday, Sept. 23, the life expectancy of a fire truck in Highland Park is 17 years, with the vehicle spending 10 years in front-line service and seven years in back-up status. A rescue pumper purchased in 2015 will go into reserve status once the new truck is delivered.

The city council agenda states that the fire truck fleet in front-line status includes a tower ladder (ladder truck), rescue pumper (squad), and pumper (engine). Apparatus kept in reserve status are used when front-line equipment undergoes repairs and maintenance. They also serve the community during events or large emergencies. The fire department currently has a pumper and a rescue pumper in reserve.

The city council agenda also mentions that the city would receive a $136,442 price reduction on the truck by paying for it in advance. The city will use Houston-Galveston Area Council pricing for the Pierce Manufacturing fire truck.

A pumper truck carries minimal equipment for basic suppression and emergency medical calls. According to the city council agenda, a rescue pumper carries additional equipment for specialty rescues related to technical rescue, hazardous materials, and dive operations. Its additional storage compartments require more material and customization, making a rescue pumper more expensive. Staff asked Pierce Manufacturing for the price of an electric vehicle version of the pumper truck. The $2.9 million price was considered not cost-effective as it is $1.5 million more expensive.