The City of Butler will begin the process to replace their firefighting ladder truck.
Butler City Council approved a motion Thursday night to actively solicit bids to enter into a 15 year lease for a new aerial fire truck with the first payment due in 2021.
Butler City Fire Chief Chris Switala:
“Building a new vehicle can take 12 or 14 months, that’s why we have to place the order soon,” Switala said.
Switala added that the fire department could also look into purchasing a stock or demonstration unit that could fit the department’s needs.
City officials have taken advantage of four different opportunities for demonstrations to see how the new trucks are able to maneuver around the city.
This deal is expected to include annual renewal options with the truck being owned by the city at the end of the deal. According to Switala, a committee is working on coming up with exact specifications.
The city sold its partially-functioning ladder truck in June 2018. Since then, the city has relied on a ladder truck owned by the Butler Township Fire Department when necessary.