The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer fire department thinks it’s found its next tanker truck. Fire Chief Joe Leszek told the town council Monday that the department is leaning toward a 2022 Freightliner from McGinley Fire Apparatus for a cost of almost $240,000.
He said it follows months of research and meetings by the department’s truck committee. “This is a large decision,” Leszek said. “We’re not taking it lightly. We’re just not saying, ‘Hey, we want a new truck. It’s nice and shiny. Let’s spend the money.’ We want to make sure, A, it checks all the boxes for our department, and B, it’s going to take care of the department’s needs in the future.”
The truck would replace a tanker that was totaled in a rollover accident while responding to a house fire in January. Leszek thinks the department could cover almost half the cost with the insurance money, funding from Wayne Township, and equipment funding from the department’s contract with Rich Grove Township. The rest of the cost could be financed.
The town council will review the information and fire department representatives will meet the McGinley’s owner and sales rep, before making a final decision. Leszek said firefighters also have a backup choice. McGinley doesn’t know when the truck would be ready, since it’s unclear when parts would be available.
