Three Cherry Valley Fire Protection District engines all wound up in the shop [at once]. “Everything broke at the same time, it seems,” said Allen Geeser, battalion fire chief for the district. One of the district’s trucks was in the shop for scheduled service. Then the oil pump went on another, and the springs and rear axle went on the third.
So for $500 a day, Cherry Valley is leasing a reserve fire engine from Rockford. The Rockford City Council Monday approved a short-term contract so the village can use a truck from the city’s reserve fleet.
“In order to ensure adequate protection for citizens of Cherry Valley, we graciously accepted an offer from the City of Rockford to loan us apparatus,” said Geeser.
Rockford Fire Chief Derek Bergsten said the city has several reserve engines, … but they aren’t typically leased to other departments.
“When I heard they didn’t have any engines, I called up last Wednesday and said we have one I think you could use,” Bergsten said. “We just wanted to make sure they had the same level of fire protection.”
The fire engine breakdowns in Cherry Valley are likely to bring an equipment review for the person hired to replace Chief Craig Wilt, who retired May 24.
“One of the things we’re going to be asking the new district chief to do is to put together an apparatus plan,” said Gary Maitland, president of the fire protection district’s board, who noted the district’s fire engines were purchased in 1988, 1997 and 2008.
He said it may be time to start planning to replace the 28-year-old engine with a new model that could cost from $450,000 for a base model to about $600,000 for one with with all the bells and whistles.
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#1 by Michael M on August 6, 2016 - 3:51 PM
How old is the Cherry Valley Squad? I know that they have a American LaFrance and a Emergency one Engine. I believe the 2008 is the American LaFrance if I am not mistaking. 500 dollars a day does seem excessive, especially for a spare apparatus.
#2 by Chuck on August 4, 2016 - 12:03 AM
$500.00 a day? Wow. If Rockford calls for mutual aid, Cherry Valley should charge them $1,000 a run. Or tell them to go jump. How asinine of the City of Rockford. …$15,000 a month. Hell, if they had THAT kind of money in the first place, they could BUY a new rig on a lease-purchase program.
#3 by CrabbyMilton on August 3, 2016 - 3:23 PM
They almost have to charge in the name of liability. What good does nice do if there is a risk of getting jerked around. Been there done that because I was nice.
#4 by MABAS 21 on August 3, 2016 - 3:04 PM
Wow! What heroes Rockford is to charge $500.00 a day to short term borrow a spare engine from their reserve fleet! I’ve never heard of that before…ever. Greed in the time of need! In our division departments graciously lend each other apparatus at NO charge, if multiple vehicles of a stricken department are O.O.S. I’m also shocked that no other departments near Cherry Valley could temporarily lend a spare engine for “FREE.” So much for working together!
#5 by CrabbyMilton on August 3, 2016 - 11:51 AM
We have to remember that this is a smaller dept. that isn’t in the habit of buying new rigs every year or so. But to say it they are thinking about replacing 28 year old rig raises a few red flags for me. They should have been at least thinking about this when a apparatus turns 20.
At least the nice thing is that a true and good quality custom chassis unit can be had for a lower cost. Who’s pointing a gun to make them buy a premium model when a standard model would work as part of the article states.
#6 by Robert on August 6, 2016 - 11:14 PM
28 year old isn’t front line.
#7 by Otis on August 8, 2016 - 9:22 AM
CVFPD runs an Engine and Ambulance with career personel. under normal conditions three engines would be more than adequate. Sounds like this was a “perfect storm” for them.