Madison board approves purchase of used 2008 Pierce quint to replace aging 1993 Seagrave

Madison’s Board of Public Works and Safety voted to approve a purchase agreement for a used 2008 Pierce 75-foot quint as a replacement for the department’s 1993 Seagrave.

Assistant Chief Brandon Ehlers told the board the current Quint 6 is past the recommended service life and in deteriorating condition. “We are looking to replace this apparatus, due to its age,” Ehlers said during a presentation describing structural fatigue, rust and worn components on the older vehicle. He said refurbishing the 1993 truck would cost “well over a quarter of $1,000,000” and that repair-only work would exceed “well over half $1,000,000.”

Ehlers described the proposed purchase as a 2008 Pierce single-axle quint with a 1,500 GPM pump and a 500-gallon water tank, about 37 feet long, 11 feet 9 inches tall and carrying about 46,482 miles and 8,103 engine hours. He said the 2008 truck had a detailed 37-page service record and included an inline foam system that would aid airport response.

Board members pressed staff on expected service life and operational coverage. Ehlers said the used Pierce should provide roughly five to seven years of frontline service, allowing time for the city to plan and budget for a new apparatus. He also emphasized the equipment’s role in maintaining the city’s ISO rating, explaining that the rating affects insurance costs: “The lower the rating, the less money it is out of the public's pocket.”

A board member moved to approve the purchase agreement for the 2008 Pierce quint with the understanding that city council must approve the lease-purchase financing sheet later that evening. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The approval authorizes Chief DeVries to execute the purchase agreement, conditioned on council approval of the lease-financing form.