Huron buys 'new' fire truck

HURON — Just like many cost-conscious car buyers often do, Huron officials weighed the pros and cons of buying a new or used fire truck. Based on many factors, most notably price, city leaders decided to purchase a previously owned vehicle, a significantly less expensive alternative. During a recent public meeting, city council authorized the fire department to buy a $475,000 used ladder truck. A ladder truck is considered a heavy-duty fire apparatus, coming with a large, extendable ladder to reach high floors and perform rescues on structures standing several stories tall. Because Huron Township represents a 50/50 partner in local firefighting operations, it'll cover half of this cost, $237,500. Huron city funds, meanwhile, will offset the mirroring balance. New ladder trucks these days run about $2.5 million, according to city officials, who said, right now, they simply cannot afford that expense. The city's everyday operating budget totals $6.4 million entering 2026, and it's could pursue a fire levy to help offset shortfalls in the department's budget. Why replace? Huron needs to swap out its 1997 ladder truck due to a major equipment failure. The malfunctioning part, which no one makes anymore, effectively won't let the extendable ladder portion rotate or pivot. This marks the part's second breakdown. "The fire captains even tried to get one made. No one can make it," said city manager Stu Hamilton, stressing how buying a new fire truck represents a last-resort option after firefighters exhausted every realistic, less expensive possibility. "They even tried to track down an old, used engine, the same model as ours, but only 12 of them were made. So we couldn't even buy an old one to take the part from." Even if firefighters could find and/or replicate this part, other problems would surely arise, Hamilton said. "If we did fix it, then we very well could run into the same issues again or more," Hamilton said. After some research and window shopping, firefighters eventually found a 2007 ladder truck in the Columbus area that, they believed, would benefit the city. "It's a used truck and maintained by the manufacturer," Hamilton said. "We know it's a good unit and can get a minimum of 10 years, if not 15 years, out of it." Right now, it's getting serviced and painted in the traditional yellow coating to match other Huron vehicles. Across two stations — one in Huron on Main Street, another in Huron Township on Bogart Road — the department typically operates with five vehicles, including a ladder truck. It also uses smaller vehicles and ambulances. 'An essential piece of equipment' This truck should arrive into Huron as early as February. It must be delivered, however, no later than April 1. Another drawback to receiving a new fire truck, beyond cost, is the timeline, Huron fire Chief Kevin McGraw pointed out. There's anywhere from a two- to three-year waiting period, from the purchase date, political subdivisions must wait before receiving a truck bought. Whether used or new, McGraw understands buying a fire truck represents a major investment. But upgrading the fleet through a fiscally responsible way ensures his department can adequately protect and serve community members at a level they've come to expect and deserve, McGraw said. McGraw understands this fire truck represents a major expense. But upgrading the fleet, considering all factors, must happen to adequately protect and serve community members. "We were able to get almost 27 years out of our biggest apparatus. That's a testament to the guys taking care of and caring for their equipment," said McGraw, who also extended appreciation to Huron Township. "Without that relationship, we would not have been able to move so quickly on an essential piece of equipment our department needs."