Warsaw Fire Department in the market for newer ladder truck
By Julia Merulla
The time has come when the Warsaw Fire Department just can't squeeze any more life out of its ladder truck.
The 1973 truck has lasted twice as long as most do, but in light of at least $12,000 in repairs, the department is looking to purchase a newer model, Fire Chief Primo Biscaro said.
At its Monday, Jan. 7 meeting, the Warsaw Village Board agreed to provide gas money for Biscaro and a couple other members of the fire department to travel over 1,000 miles to check out a used ladder truck that is for sale online.
It's a 1993 model, priced at $66,000. New ladder trucks can cost upward of $1 million, a price tag that's not feasible for the Village of Warsaw, especially considering the county does not contribute funds toward the purchase. The ladder trucks in Warsaw and Perry are the only such vehicles in Wyoming County and are used countywide.
Biscaro said he didn't know if the used truck has other potential buyers, but he wanted to express interest before someone else does.
“At that price, I'm not sure it's gonna last long,” Biscaro told the board.
Biscaro also announced that the fire department learned on Friday, Jan. 5 that it has received a federal grant for $128,976, after being denied for the same grant last year.
The money will be used to purchase 24 airpacks, which are the harnesses firefighters wear that include their air tank and mask.
The current airpacks are 12 to 15 years old and deteriorating with age, Biscaro said. Because regulations often change, the department needed to update to new models.
The fire department will need to go out for bid for the airpacks, Biscaro said. The Village of Warsaw will pay $6,473 of the grant. The fire department paid an additional $500 in grant application fees, Biscaro said.
Also at the board meeting, Warsaw Village Mayor Joe Robinson announced that downtown Warsaw has been listed on the New York State Office for Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's national registry of historic places.
Robinson also announced that Highway Superintendent Gil Stearns has been appointed to a three-year term on the board of the Wyoming County Water Resources Authority.
Additionally, the Warsaw Village board passed a resolution to hold the village elections from noon to 9 p.m. March 19 at the Warsaw Fire Hall.
