In November, we published an article noting the Lake Zurich Fire Department's plan to sell their Pierce tower ladder. Both the Journal Topics Newspaper (online version) and the Daily Herald have covered the story regarding the Des Plaines Fire Department’s interest in acquiring the tower ladder.
A Journal Topics article from last Thursday mentioned:
"Members of the Des Plaines City Council will review the possibility of purchasing a second-hand fire ladder truck during a meeting tonight (Thursday). This option could provide the department with a more cost-effective alternative for replacing their aging vehicle."
The article continued:
"Alderman Walsten expressed his preference to replace the department's 23-year-old Simon LTI ladder truck, which is now in a deteriorated state. Since the original manufacturer is no longer operational, obtaining replacement parts has become both expensive and time-consuming."
Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax also weighed in, stating, "Our current truck has surpassed its operational lifespan and must be retired soon."
The city council had initially planned to allocate $1.4 million from the 2013 budget to purchase a brand-new ladder truck. However, the decision has been postponed while they assess whether maintaining two ladder trucks is truly necessary. Even if the final decision leans toward having only one operational truck, a backup unit will still be required, according to Walsten.
Walsten was thrilled upon hearing about the Lake Zurich Fire Department's offer: "The truck they’re selling is a 2000 Pierce model with just 66,000 miles on it. We had an expert inspect it, and they confirmed that it's in excellent shape."
He further added, "Including the cost of the truck, any additional equipment, and potential savings from selling or scrapping our existing ladder truck, the total expenditure for Des Plaines could be under $390,000. This represents a significant saving of nearly $1 million for local taxpayers."
The full article can be read here.
Meanwhile, Monday's Daily Herald reported:
"The Des Plaines city council is set to deliberate on spending approximately $400,000 to acquire a pre-owned aerial ladder truck from Lake Zurich. This move aims to replace their aging ladder truck, which is far beyond its usable life span."
City officials explained that the current fleet consists of two ladder trucks, serving the eastern and western halves of the city, divided by railway tracks. Given the high volume of trains passing through the city's 32 at-grade crossings, responding swiftly across town with just one truck presents challenges.
Wax noted that the value of the truck is currently estimated at $10,000, making it unlikely for any other department to consider purchasing it in its current condition.
Despite this, the city has earmarked $1.4 million from its equipment replacement fund in the 2013 budget to acquire a new ladder truck, expected to serve for the next 18 years.
As discussions continue over whether two ladder trucks are essential, a study commissioned by the city council on this matter remains ongoing.
Even if only one truck is kept operational, a reserve vehicle will still be required as a precautionary measure. The Lake Zurich truck, though 12 years old, has logged only 66,000 miles due to infrequent use and remains in top condition, Wax highlighted.
For those interested, the full Daily Herald article is available here.
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