Butler City is considering options when it comes to replacing a fire truck that is at the end of its useful life.
Councilman in charge of Public Safety Bob Dandoy informed Council and the public about the dire situation with Rescue 1 which usually goes out on medical calls.
This 2008 truck recently passed inspection but it will not pass next year and it has been having electrical issues that are not able to be addressed. Administrators are looking for the necessary $50,000 for a replacement but the City could also possibly use COVID relief funding.
As City Fire Chief Chris Switala explains, the normal life for these types of trucks is 8 to 10 years so 13 years is beyond the expected life span.
“It only has about 50,000 miles on it, but in the last inspection it was rusted through the wheel wells, and recently it has been having a bunch of electrical issues where’s it throwing check engine lights, and stalling out, and lights going dim,” Switala said. “It’s running right now, but we never know when that electrical, because it’s interment, whenever that might strike and take the vehicle out completely.”
City Council has already approved the purchase of a new ladder truck for the City Fire Department which will not be delivered until late summer or early fall.
