Sparta buying a 2000 Pierce Dash 100 foot platform fire truck for some $249,000.
Sparta Firefighter Richard Taylor said the truck will be brought to the main fire station in Sparta when it arrives. Taylor said he and another firefighter went to look at and test drive the truck in Alabama, and everything was working properly.
“It’s smooth, it’s quiet,” Taylor said. “And like I said, it’s been aerial tested, pump tested, inspected, and I brought the pictures back to [City Manager Tonya Tindle] to let everybody look at. I believe it’s a really good truck.”
Tindle said she saw videos of Taylor test driving the truck, and she could barely hear it running. Sparta Mayor Jerry Lowery said purchasing this truck was a great deal, as it saved the city some $100,000.
Lowery said the city has been putting money aside every year for a new fire truck because they are typically so expensive. Lowery said this truck had little use and low miles, which further sweetens the deal.
Tindle said Tennessee Code requires most items to be sent out for bid, but there is an exception for used vehicles if they meet fair market value. Tindle said Sparta’s new truck was less expensive than comparable trucks.
“A new truck to that specification would probably be closer to $2 million,” Taylor said. “The truck was refurbished. Completely refurbished by Pierce Manufacturing, which is what the truck is.”
Taylor said the refurbishments included all of the necessary safety features. Taylor said there is an alarm that sounds when the out riggers are deployed, and it will not turn off until they are fully set. Taylor said pads are also included.
“It’s got the full compliment of ground ladders,” Taylor said. “It does have pipe poles already on the truck, a few odd and end pieces of equipment. We didn’t pull it all out and look at it , but it does have a few odd and end stuff on it.”
Lowery said the city purchased sirens and a backup camera for some $11,225.Both are required pieces of equipment for the truck that needed to be added, hence the city purchasing them separately. Aldermen approved the purchase of both items shortly after approving the truck purchase itself.
Before the truck was transferred to Alabama, Taylor said the truck was stationed at a fully volunteer department in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Taylor said that department’s only reason for selling the truck is that it is buying a brand new truck.
Sparta Aldermen approved the purchase Thursday.
