Voter-approved vehicle expected to arrive in 45-60 days
Bartlesville Fire Department should receive its new aerial platform fire truck in the next few months thanks to a vote of the City Council last week.
The council held a special meeting last Wednesday to consider approval of a bid award for the vehicle and associated equipment, approved by voters in the 2020 General Obligation Bond Election.
The vehicle will allow access to many of the city’s taller buildings and is a step forward in improving the department’s ISO rating — a score issued by the state’s Insurance Services Office based on how prepared the department is to protect the community from fires. The score can mean lower insurance premiums for Bartlesville residents, Fire Chief David Topping said this week.
“We currently hold an ISO rating of 2/2y, which puts us in the top one percent in the state. The addition of this equipment to our arsenal will move us closer to a rating of 1, which is the highest score possible,” Topping said. “With a reach of 101 feet, this vehicle will give us more options and greater capabilities than we currently have in regards to high-rise operations.”
The truck will be purchased from low bidder Daco Fire Equipment for $1.3 million. Due to inflation and wiring supply costs, the vehicle is over budget by $246,687. The remaining funds will be taken from unallocated Half-cent Capital Improvement Project Sales Tax funds.