Federal grants may help Bellefontaine patch looming holes in its fire and squad fleets, but there are no guarantees the city will receive the assistance.
Fire Chief Andy Fissel told the Finance Committee of the Bellefontaine City Council his department has applied for funding to buy a new squad and soon will seek help to replace its problematic ladder truck.
The 20-year-old ladder truck should have been back in service months ago but unforeseen defects have continued to arise, keeping the vehicle out of service.
Replacing the ladder truck would cost $1,050,000, the chief reports, and he believes the city has a good argument for federal help.
This year’s repair effort shows Bellefontaine has taken extraordinary steps to maintain the firefighting asset, Chief Fissel said.
As for the department’s fleet of three squads, the oldest with its 2002 Ford chassis needs to be replaced, he said.
Ford has discontinued offering diesel motors for its one-ton squad chassis forcing departments to look at medium duty frames.
Chief Fissel said diesel motors perform better for city use where the run distances are short and idling times longer.
He expects a medium duty chassis will easily last 15 years, if not 20.
However, it will cost about $290,000 for an outfitted unit and will take nine months for delivery after ordering.
The department is awaiting word regarding its grant request. If it is rejected, the ambulance fund has money to cover a short-term lease while preparing to replace its 2005 unit.
Police Chief Brandon Standley updated the committee on efforts to switch to the statewide MARCS radio system.
The handheld portables given to the city by the state are working well providing good communications.
A local grant request should be acted on soon. If it comes in, the chief said, the city will have to pay about $12,000 for new radios, both handheld and cruiser units.
He would expect to keep some of the current handheld units as backups and give the rest to another department.
Under the gift agreement, Bellefontaine cannot sell the units it received from the state, but it can give the radios to another safety department.