New rescue truck for BFD

Stephens County Commissioners met for a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 28 and voted unanimously to begin the process to purchase a new rescue truck for the Breckenridge Fire Department.

The need for a new vehicle arose after the current vehicle became inoperable en route to a call that required use of the Jaws of Life, a hydraulic rescue tool that is used in rescue operations to cut through vehicles in order to release trapped occupants.

Commissioners said they spoke with two separate mechanics to diagnose the vehicle’s issue, and both stated they believe it is at least one, if not two cylinders that has stopped working. Costs to diagnose the issue would be roughly $7,000. A new motor for the current rescue truck would cost an additional $15,000.

Commissioners believe it is more cost effective and in the best interest of operations within the fire department and safety of our citizens, to purchase a new truck.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark McCullough said he spoke with a salesperson at Bayer Chevrolet of Breckenridge.

“I’ve contacted Bayer Chevrolet. They can get us a one-ton single cab, brand new gasoline four-wheeldrive Chevrolet for around ($44,000),” McCullough said.

The money to pay for the truck would come from the precinct cash reserves, and refunded back at some point in the future.

Due to the rescue truck being inoperable, BFD is currently transporting the life-saving equipment in BFD Fire Chief Malcolm Bufkin’s pickup truck.

Commissioners discussed other options they had looked at regarding purchasing a vehicle, and found purchasing a new vehicle locally from Bayer would cost less than purchasing a used Ford truck with 30,00040,000 miles already on it.

The motion to purchase a new vehicle was approved unanimously with the stipulation that the final purchasing price be $49,999 or less, in order to adhere to current county policy.