City spends $1.1M for new fire engine

SANDUSKY — People can expect a massive upgrade to a firefighting organization's fleet in the coming years. During a recent public meeting, city officials committed about $1.1 million in public funds to purchase a new pumper truck for firefighting operations. The money comes from what's known as a local EMS fund, which generates dollars every time local firefighters transport patients via ambulance. Sandusky fire Chief Mario D'Amico provided some additional context about this forthcoming truck: • The exchange: "We are not adding to our fleet. This engine/pumper purchase will replace a 2008 Pierce engine/pumper that is located at Station No. 7 (on Venice Road near Toft Dairy). The 2008 Pierce will then be moved into a reserve status that will be used when our frontline engines are at fleet maintenance for repair or service, ensuring the Sandusky Fire Department always has three engines in service across the city. The current reserve engine, a 2005 Pierce, will be sold." • The upgrade: "This new engine/pumper will be a new 2029 Sutphen whose primary purpose is to transport firefighters, equipment, ladders, water and hose to a fire scene. Once on a fire scene, the engine/pumper is utilized to pump water from our city water system or Lake Erie for fire extinguishment." • The fleet: The "Sandusky Fire Department currently has four engines/pumpers in its fleet: a 2023 Sutphen, a 2008 Pierce, a 2005 Pierce and a 2001 Pierce. An engine was ordered in 2023 to replace the 2005 Pierce. That delivery will take place in April of 2027. In 2029, with the arrival of this latest purchase, all three frontline Sandusky Fire Department engines will be Sutphens, and our reserve engine will be the 2008 Pierce." • The financial aspect: "Myself, the finance director, Michelle Reeder, and the fleet maintenance foreman, Mark Stierhoff, coordinated to devise a vehicle replacement schedule that assigns engines a lifespan of 20 years. This time frame allows for Sandusky fire to utilize the latest technologies, refrain from large, costly repairs due to wear and tear, all while financially staying within the parameters of Sandusky fire's capital funding source, the EMS fund." • The importance: "The safety of the citizens of Sandusky depends on the Sandusky Fire Department having reliable vehicles that take advantage of the latest technologies in firefighting. This replacement schedule allows us to accomplish this while being fiscally responsible with the monies we are allocated."