Peabody fire chief: Truck needed ASAP

PEABODY – Peabody Fire Chief Steven Pasdon will ask the City Council for an emergency appropriation in the amount of $438,000 Thursday night to purchase a much needed firetruck.Since proposing his plan to the Council in February, Pasdon’s committee of seven department members secured three bids for the vehicle. The lowest came in at $416,967, not including additional equipment. Pasdon estimates that it will cost $20,848 to install radios, hoses, nozzles and other necessary and related equipment.Pasdon recommends purchasing a KME Custom Severe Service Triple Combination Fire Pump Stock unit. It is currently in its final construction stages at the KME plant in Nesquehoning, Pa.”This truck is needed ASAP because two of our current trucks need immediate replacement and/or major repair work,” Pasdon wrote in his letter to the Council. “I am asking that you consider this request as emergency in nature because a truck needs to be purchased immediately.”It would take approximately one year if the department were to go through the formal Request for Proposal and construction process.The city currently has a 1994 Emergency One Fire Pumper, which needs its engine and transmission replaced, as well as body work. The other truck, a 1989 Pierce open cab, will no longer pass a pump certification test.If purchased, the city could reap the benefits of this new truck as early as June 1 of this year.