Darien Selectmen Approve $1.7M For Purchase Of New Fire Tanker

DARIEN, CT — To better serve the community during fire incidents, the Darien Fire Department is seeking a new tanker truck to replace the current apparatus that's 28 years old.

The Board of Selectmen this week approved an appropriation and bond authorization request of $1,755,300 from the DFD to purchase a replacement for Fire Tanker 45, which is a 1996 Mack Commercial Cab and Chassis. However, it's expected to take another four years before the new truck is delivered.

DFD Chief Brian Francefort went before the selectmen on Monday with the request. The full selectmen meeting is available to view on demand on Darien TV79.

"The reason we're looking to replace this truck is we're seeing a lot of mechanical failures and some increased downtime with the truck. One of the problems we're having is availability of parts," Francefort said. "That particular line... was discontinued a lot of years ago, somewhere in the mid-2000s, so parts are becoming difficult to obtain. It's definitely one of the slower trucks when you're in a tanker operation. It is quite older than most tankers around."

Additionally, the tanker lacks safety features, such as an anti-lock brake system and rollover protection. There are also no airbags in the two-man cab, and it doesn't hold enough water needed for today's emergencies, according to Francefort.

The current tanker features a 2,500-gallon elliptical-style tank and a 2,500-gallon portable tank, with the ability to pump 750 gallons per minute.

"This day and age, the nature of emergencies has changed; our buildings are getting bigger, the highways are transporting different types of chemicals and we also have the railway that brings a lot of chemicals across the railway," Francefort added. "One of the newest concerns is electric vehicles. You can use upwards of 10,000 gallons of water to put out an electric car fire. The tanker will be one of the primary forms of protection to get enough water on the scene to start an operation, especially on a larger EV vehicle."

The primary function of the tanker is to respond to structure fires in non-hydrant areas, especially on I-95 where it's also used as a blocker to traffic, on local roads, and wooded areas. The tanker is also used to combat brush fires, and it responds to mutual aid incidents, Francefort explained.

The DFD is looking to purchase an estimated 2029 Seagrave Attacker Tanker, which has a larger 3,500-gallon square body tank and a 3,500-gallon portable tank. It can pump 1,500 gallons per minute, and features other modern firefighter technology and safety features.

Darien had previously tabled an appropriation request when the initial price estimate was $1 million, First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said.

Francefort said the reason for lead time and price increases is due to effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of raw materials, as well as third-party component price increases and delivery delays, the availability of affordable skilled labor, and increased order volumes.

Additionally, according to Francefort, there is a growing monopoly of the fire apparatus market controlled by three publicly traded corporations. Seagrave, the company the DFD is looking to purchase the new tanker from, is independently owned.

The selectmen unanimously voted to approve the appropriation and bond authorization request after a brief discussion. The Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting will also examine the request.