The Chicago Tribune has this article:
The Winnetka Village Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the purchase of a $568,722 fire engine, and an appreciative local resident stepped up and offered to pay for the new vehicle’s bell.
Winnetka Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky said the purchase of a 2015 pumper fire engine from the village’s sole bidder, Smeal Fire Apparatus Company, is needed to maintain a reliable fleet, as the fire department is retiring a fire engine purchased in 1996.
The village will save roughly $17,000 by using Smeal’s pre-payment option, Berkowsky said, and the fire engine’s price is also less than the $615,000 the fire department had budgeted for the purchase.
The new fire engine will be rotated with a fire engine the department purchased in 2000, while officials hope to sell the 1996 vehicle for roughly $30,000, Berkowsky said.
Stepping up following the council’s unanimous approval of the purchase of the fire engine, Winnetka resident John Roberts expressed his gratitude to the fire department, which he said recently assisted his family during an emergency at their home. “I’d like to provide a bell in honor of the Winnetka firefighters from the past present and future,” Roberts said. “We had an occasion for the fire department to visit, and they were overwhelmingly professional and courteous, and showed kindness and empathy,” said Roberts, who did not specify the amount of his donation, nor the cost of the fire bell.
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#1 by Bill Post on December 12, 2014 - 7:10 PM
The news about Smeal is good news as it shows that they should be marketing their Snorkels once they get retooled and are able to build them.
While it is true that many fire departments that once operated Snorkels have gone over to Tower Ladders, there are still a few major fire departments that still operate some Snorkels , such as Philadelphia PA and Memphis Tennessee which still runs with 2 one piece Snorkel Squads.
#2 by Frank on December 12, 2014 - 6:26 PM
What model did they buy
#3 by Michael M on December 12, 2014 - 5:56 PM
I am surprised that no other company bid on the engine.
#4 by Brian on December 12, 2014 - 4:06 PM
Smeal has made the Chicagoland market a top priority after several of the recent transactions (acquisitions) they have made. From a very solid source “they want to be a major player in chicago and the chicagoland apparatus market”
#5 by Frank on December 12, 2014 - 3:45 PM
I’m surprised Winnetka picked smeal and not pierce or eone Morton grove ordered a smeal too
#6 by Josh on December 12, 2014 - 3:53 PM
Watch, in a couple years, Smeal will be one of the Top Apparatus Manufacturers in the US! Now that they will be building Snorkels, Tele Squirts, and everything else. I also believe Winnetka’s truck is a Smeal.