By Yolanda Jones
SOUTHAVEN, Tenn. — Southaven officials agreed to buy a new aerial ladder truck that will replace an 18-year-old truck, the oldest in the fire department fleet.
Mayor Greg Davis said the 78-foot ladder truck is a demo model from Sunbelt Fire, and by buying this truck that has been used for fire demonstrations only, it will save the city money.
“The fire chief and the deputy fire chief said the 78-foot aerial truck meets what we need at $560,000, saving us $60,000,” Davis told the board of aldermen at its Tuesday night meeting. “It also saves us $200,000 of what we would budget in two years to buy a new truck that cost $700,000.”
The board unanimously voted to accept Sunbelt’s lease-purchase proposal.
Davis said the truck will go to the city’s fire station No. 1 on State Line Road and U.S. 51. The current ladder truck will remain in use until the new one arrives in March.
Copyright 2011 The Commercial Appeal, Inc.