CROSS LAKE TWP., Maine — Chief Darren R. Woods announced on Monday, Aug. 20, the arrival of two used fire trucks that will upgrade the North Lakes Fire and Rescue fleet.
“We have been saving for a few years trying to upgrade our trucks, but we kept having to spend some of that funding keeping the old trucks on the road,” Woods said.
Staff chose used trucks and were thus able to purchase two trucks instead of one.
“By purchasing used apparatus, we were able to replace two trucks for the cost of $100,000. The cost of one new truck can run from $300,000 to $500,000,” Woods said. “So, while we didn’t buy brand new, we got two trucks that will work well for our area and save the taxpayers quite a lot.”
The 2005 Pierce Pumper will replace a 1983 Ford Pumper, while the 1997 Freightliner Tanker will replace a 1979 International Tanker.
Purchasing the newer trucks will make it easier to maintain, since parts for the older trucks in some cases come from junkyards or are not available at all.
“These trucks will be much easier to keep operating with less maintenance down time, thus keeping our citizens safer,” he added.
North Lakes Fire and Rescue covers the areas of Sinclair, Cross Lake, Square Lake and Madawaska Lake. For more information visit www.northlakesfire.org or the department’s Facebook page.
