MN Department Spends $1.5M on Pieces of Apparatus

Roseville will spend $1.5 million for two fire trucks. Just as interesting is how it saved $51,000 on the deal.

The city recently approved the purchase of a new fire engine, which pumps water needed to battle fires, and a new ladder truck, which pumps water and includes a 109-foot ladder. The engine should arrive in the spring of 2020, and the ladder truck in January 2021, Battalion Chief Neil Sjostrom said.

To help keep costs down, the Ramsey County city did this:

• It bought the two fire trucks as one purchase. The department saved on the fees of one vehicle by buying both together. Savings: $43,000.
• It allowed one vehicle to be a demo. Before it’s delivered, the maker will show it off at trade shows or to other departments. Savings: $8,000.

“Anytime we can reduce the impact on taxpayer dollars, we find any and every way to do so,” Roseville Fire Chief Tim O’Neill said. The vehicles are being bought from firefighting technology maker Rosenbauer Minnesota of Wyoming, Minn.

After the one vehicle is shown around, it will be inspected before it is accepted by Roseville.

The vehicles to be replaced have reached the end of their recommended 15-year service lengths. In fact, the ladder truck is 21 years old. Both will be sold on the secondary market.

The department has also asked the city council for $1 million to hire nine full-time firefighters, a request still being processed.

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