In a cost-saving move that also provides a compact feature -- relatively speaking for a fire department vehicle -- Lakewood recently spent $250,000 to purchase a used 2010 Pierce Velocity rescue pumper truck.
“Our 1997 heavy rescue vehicle, which we originally purchased used several years ago, was due for replacement, so we approached the city with a cost-saving alternative,” Lakewood Fire Marshal Ryan Fairbanks said.
“We were able to purchase the used vehicle at a third of the cost of a brand-new one,” he said.
“The reason we opted for a 2010 is because in 2009, there were dramatic safety standards put in place for fire apparatus. We didn’t want to go older than that. We were able to get the most bang for our buck with that year also.”