New engine enters Perkins fire's fleet

PERKINS TWP. — After a multiyear process, just the other day, Perkins firefighters received the department's new truck — and it looks strikingly different than others in the fleet. Paying homage to history while honoring the local school system, it does, above all else, better prepare first responders in keeping community members safe. Perkins fire Chief Dave Murphy filled in some blanks about the organization's newest engine/pumper truck: • The purchase: "The cost of the vehicle was $825,000. It is being paid for with funds from the fire department budget. In 2021, the community passed the new 2.75-mill levy. The intent of this levy was to focus on aging apparatus, aging equipment and addressing staffing levels. The funds from the passage of this levy made the purchase of this new engine a possibility." • The buy date: "The process began for selecting a truck in 2023. The vendor was selected, and the design process began in 2024. Typically, the build time for an engine is approximately two years. Some vendors were giving estimates of three to four years. This is one of the reasons E-One was selected as the engine manufacturer." • The need: "The department currently operates with three engines, two frontline engines and one reserve engine, and one aerial/ladder truck. The typical rule of thumb for an engine is a life expectancy of 20 years. Our fleet currently consists of a 1994 engine, a 2002 engine and a 2008 engine — so 32, 24 and 18 years old, respectively. This is an aging fleet with mounting maintenance costs and reliability issues. Another concern is, due to the age of the vehicles, finding replacement parts can be challenging. Thanks to the support of the Perkins Township voters, who have continued to support the fire department levies, the funds were available to make this purchase." Note: Perkins fire's entire fleet consists of three engines, one aerial/ladder truck, three ambulances, a brush truck and four utility/station vehicles. • The swap: "This is replacing the 2002 American LaFrance Engine (Engine No. 224). While not the oldest engine in the fleet, it has become more challenging to find parts for this vehicle and has experienced the most maintenance issues." • The color change: "Over the last decade or so, previous chiefs had begun to transition the ambulances and utility vehicles to a white, red and black color scheme. When purchasing the engine, the decision was made to start transitioning the engines and aerial to a similar color scheme. In part, this was done to honor the first-ever engine purchased by Perkins Township, which was white and then painted red later. It also fits the theme of the ambulances and utility vehicles. Personnel also liked the idea of the engine showcasing the Perkins school colors." • The advantage: "The benefit to the community, first and foremost, is having a reliable piece of equipment. With an aging fleet, such as we currently have, maintenance and repair issues are common. This apparatus should serve the community for the next 20 to 30 years. A reliable engine increases the safety of personnel and the safety of the community. The apparatus is being purchased through a national purchasing cooperative, which also allows for a savings to the community." • The cooperation: "I would like to thank the apparatus committee who helped select and design this engine. I would also like to thank the board of trustees for identifying this purchase as a critical need. And, finally, I would like to thank the Perkins Township community for their continued support of the department and levies. The levies were passed with the intent of addressing aging apparatus and equipment needs as well as solidifying staffing levels. Without the support of the community, this would not be possible."