Farmington OKs $3.1 Million Contracts For New Fire Trucks

FARMINGTON, CT — The fire department received a significant holiday gift from the town council last month, with officials approving more than $3.1 million in contracts for two new fire trucks.

At the last council meeting on Dec. 10, 2024 members — in two separate unanimous votes — awarded contracts for the Farmington Fire Department to receive a new pumper engine as well as a new "ariel quint" truck.

The "quint" truck is a multi-purpose fire truck that also includes a 100-foot ladder for high-rise rescues.

In both instances, the town hired Firematic Supply Co. out of East Yaphank, N.Y., to supply the trucks, with the "quint" truck costing $1.75 million and the pumper costing $1.4 million.

In addition to those two new contracts, the council also unanimously approved transferring unused funding in the town's capital improvements budget for the firetruck purchases.

Farmington Town Manager Kathleen A. Blonski said the aerial truck would be housed at the Tunxis Hose fire station.

Blonski said the new vehicle would replace two aging ones in service currently.

"The truck will eventually replace Engine 5 and Rescue 15, both of which are 20 years old," she said.

The specific funds for the ariel truck were approved by voters at an April 2024 referendum and the actual cost of the "ariel quint" was more avout $2.43 million.

But, Blonski said, "optional incentive discounts" lowered the price tag to the $1.75 million figure.

Regarding the pumper truck, Blonski said it would be at the East Farms fire station.

Blonski said the new pumper would replace Engine 10, "which only 14 years old, has cost the town a substantial amount of money to repair and keep it in service."

Funds for this truck were approved at the same April 2024 referendum as the prior truck.

While the contracts have been awarded, it could be years before each vehicle is delivered to the town, as the contract puts the delivery timeline at 48 months.

For the minutes of the Dec. 10 Farmington Town Council meeting, click on this link.