Design inside the addition designed by James Paris his partner the late Nolan Bingham of Paris/Bingham Partnership for the Columbus Fire Department, Central Fire Station 1, 1101 Jackson Street, Columbus, Indiana, Carla Clark | For The Republic
The Columbus Fire Department is looking to purchase a new 100-foot aerial platform ladder truck.
The Columbus Board of Works voted Wednesday to approve a notice to bidders on the vehicle. Bids will be unsealed and read aloud at the board’s Nov. 28 meeting.
According to city officials, CFD’s current ladder truck is 14 years old. Chief Andy Lay said that this kind of vehicle takes about three years to build, whereas other firefighting trucks take about 12 to 18 months.
“What we decided to do was get ahead of the game by getting the bid in,” he said. “We were going to wait until the first part of 2024, but we got word that there’s going to be an 8% increase coming. So we’re going to try and get this advertised, take it under advisement, and then hopefully lock in that price going into 2024.”
The expense was approved as part of the city’s 2024 budget, said Mayor-elect Mary Ferdon.
Bids will only be accepted through the electronic bidding system Ion Wave Technologies, the notice stated. Suppliers can go to columbusin.ionwave.net to register with Ion Wave, view current city bid events, submit a bid or view bid tabulations.
Physically challenged individuals who plan to attend the bid opening and require special accommodations should call 812-376-2570 or TDD 812-375-2720 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
