By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend City Council voted in favor of the purchase of a $436,000
fire engine truck at Monday’s meeting. The process to replace the fire
department’s 1992 pumper/tanker begin in late 2019. Great Bend Deputy Fire Chief
Brent Smith said at that time, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
guidelines have an engine being a frontline apparatus for 10 years then moving
to a backup for five years before being retired out of the fire service.
"The guidelines show that truck should have been replaced no later than 15 years," said Smith. "With good maintenance and care, we've been able to keep that truck in service as long as we have. The truck is tested annually. The truck did pass its last pump test, but the company did cut the test a little bit short because they were afraid the truck would overheat."
A committee was formed to find a new pumper/tanker truck. The committee went on
five trips across the country to look at fire trucks in other cities that were
close to what Great Bend was looking for.
"Almost the exact truck we're buying is in McAlester, Oklahoma," said Smith. "We looked at that truck to make sure this was something we could put in service here and be a good addition to our fleet."
Of the two bids received by the deadline, Great Bend approved the low bid from
Deep South Fire Trucks for $436,000. The delivery time on the new vehicle will
be between 400 to 465 days.