Fire truck availability low, Naples looks to strike

By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — There are only a couple completed firetrucks in the nation, and Naples would like to secure one of them.

In fact, as soon as annual town meeting is wrapped up later this week, Naples Fire Chief Justin Cox hopes to get the purchase agreement signed in order to reserve a much needed firetruck.

Chief Cox expressed to the Naples Board of Selectmen the sense of urgency in getting this rig before another fire department buys it.

“Over the last few months, we’ve been discussing replacing Engine 4 and Engine 5. Since our last meeting here, we have been on the search for trucks.

We’ve looked at a bunch of different trucks,” Cox said

He has looked at the firetruck availability and delivery timeline with the companies such as Pierce Manufacturing, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Rosenbauer, Seagrave Sales & Service, and HME Inc.

“Two trucks fit the bill for our needs. One truck went above and beyond for a lot cheaper,” Cox said

As a matter of fact, he was able to reduce the originally estimated price from $850,000 to $716,000, he said.

“My reason for being here tonight is: Two of these trucks are available, one in June, one at the end of July.

I am asking if we can have the ability to sign a sales agreement after town meeting if the money is approved so we can put a hold on the truck,” he said.

When Chief Cox told the selectmen that he wanted the contract signed after town meeting, he literally meant that evening.

Selectman Colin Brackett sought clarification. Was the chief wanting this to happen after the vote on the warrant article?

“Friday morning or late Thursday night,” Cox said. “There are only two of them in the country or we are going to wait two more years.”

After some discussion, the board voted to allow the town manager to sign the purchase agreement following town meeting.

Warrant Article 39 will ask residents to approve the use of existing funds from Fire/Rescue Apparatus Reserve and also from the Undesignated Fund Balance to come up with a total sum to purchase the fire truck. This warrant will not