Fannin County commissioners have agreed to replace four of seven aging county fire department tankers within the next several months. They also plan to replace another in 2024.
American Rescue Plan Act monies will be used to buy four new tankers with a goal of having them in service by mid-2023, Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said last week.
The total cost of the four tankers will be $366,767.80.
Assistant Fire Chief Rob Ross told commissioners seven tankers are outdated and worn out. Four of the seven are former fire department engines that were reclassified as tankers because they would not pass the pump tests to be classified as engines. The oldest is a 1974 model.
Ross explained that the department has been focusing on its front line engines and, with those units in good shape, is moving through the next phase of upgrades with the tanker replacements.
The trucks being replaced are all straight drive with gasoline engines. Each carries 1,000 gallons of water.
The new trucks are twin axle, with automatic transmissions and diesel engines, that carry 2,500 gallons of water. This essentially gives the county two trucks for the price of one when transporting water to a fire scene, Ross said.
Fire Chief Larry Thomas said the upgrades will also help improve the county’s ISO rating, one of the main factors insurance companies use in setting fire insurance rates.
Ross said the cost of the new tankers usually “pushes $200,000” each, but through a purchase arrangement with the forestry service, each tanker costs $91,691.95. There is a limit of receiving two tankers a year.
Commissioners agreed to order two in 2022 and two more in January 2023. That decision was made at the commissioners December 13, 2022, meeting.
Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said the board also plans to order a fifth tanker in early 2024.