Fire department looks to switch out engine

The Sundance Volunteer Fire Department is looking to replace an old engine with a rescue truck.

Fire Chief Gari Gill told the Sundance City Council last week that the engine is old and barely usable and would not be worth the cost of repairing back up to standard.

The engine, Gill said, did not pass a flow test a couple of years ago. In order for it to do so, the department would be looking at a cost of around $18,000.

The engine also has no heaters, he continued. Consequently, the department did not dare even remove it from the garage during this winter’s cold snap.

Gill told the council that he would like to auction the engine and then put the proceeds towards a full-size rescue unit.

Mayor Paul Brooks commented that, at the time the city purchased the engine because it was out of trucks, it was already used and had a leaking tank.

“It was to serve on an interim basis,” he said, until the city was able to secure an Assistance to Firefighters Grant through FEMA.

That, said the mayor, was about 13 years ago.

With the council’s blessing, Gill will move ahead with the plan if it can be reconciled with the department’s budget.