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The Columbus Board of Public Works took under advisement Tuesday a bid to provide the Columbus Fire Department a new, $2.11 million aerial, 100-foot, platform ladder truck to replace its current 2008 vehicle.
Fire chief Andy Lay said he hopes the five-member board approves the request before the end of the year since such vehicle costs are due to increase by 8 percent in the new year. That would result in this emergency truck costing $160,000 more than it does currently from Fire Service Inc., he said.
“We want to be proactive to avoid the price increase,” Lay said after the meeting at City Council chambers at City Hall.
He mentioned that it would be the most expensive piece of equipment the department has.
Since the pandemic introduced supply chain hurdles, these trucks require about a three-year time span for delivery instead of perhaps a year’s time, according to Lay. City engineer Andrew Beckort, who is among those handling the city’s bidding software for such matters, presented the solitary bid from the Fire Service company.
Lay told the board that the National Fire Protection Association recommends an ideal, best-practice guideline of replacing aerial ladder trucks every 15 years.
Lay said the old ladder truck would be kept as a backup if the new purchase is approved.
The board also approved a detailed job description for Columbus fire inspector. Lay said he is detailing major department positions’ requirements and expectations.
The board also approved closing Water Street near First Street downtown Saturday for the Festival of Lights fireworks scheduled after the 6 p.m. parade up Washington Street.
