Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services is getting six new fire engines at a total cost of $2.875 million.
The County Board of Commissioners approved acquiring the engines from FireLine Inc., paying with SPLOST 2018 funds. Staff recommended the purchase, noting existing apparatus can be moved to the reserve fleet and make possible the retirement of five 1999 American LaFrance models currently in reserve.
Fire protection and insurance industry standards require Cherokee to maintain a reserve fleet of six engines, staff said in a report to commissioners. American LaFrance is out business, however, and replacement parts are difficult and costly to acquire.
With new equipment arriving and existing units moved to reserves, “eventually, the American La France engines will be sold at auction or donated,” staff said.
Separately, county commissioners approved the purchase of smaller fire department vehicles: Three Chevrolet Tahoes, acquired for $110,100 from Langdale Chevrolet; and two Ford Transit vans, bought for $55,470 from Brannen Motor Co.
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