WHFD's $250,000 Vehicle Request, What You Need To Know

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Fire Department's recent department review shows it needs four additional vehicles for firefighter operations.

None of the vehicles sought are fire trucks, tankers or ladder trucks, but the total cost is expected to be $250,000.

On Tuesday, the West Hartford Town Council will vote on a resolution to appropriate the cash for those four vehicles.

It meets at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at West Hartford Town Hall's legislative chambers, 50 S. Main St.

According to the proposed resolution, the WHFD is seeking a $65,000 paramedic unit vehicle; a fire marshal sport utility vehicle for $60,000; an administrative SUV for $60,000; and an emergency management SUV for $40,000.

In addition, the fire department is requesting $25,000 in contingency cash for any possible cost overruns, outfitting necessities or other unexpected costs.

West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith agrees with the need and submitted the request to elected municipal officials for the final say.

Ledwith last week briefed the council's finance and administration subcommittee on the fire department request.

He said the vehicles are needed "to meet the town's emergency management needs."

Ledwith said all of the vehicles are necessary and he updated subcommittee members Feb. 6 on why.

He said the paramedic vehicle would allow the department to quickly address smaller-scale emergencies where a smaller, paramedic vehicle is required.

As for the fire marshal's office vehicle, Ledwith said both the fire marshal and the deputy fire marshal are regularly about town and need a new, reliable vehicle.

"We are in need of a vehicle for our fire marshal and our deputy fire marshal to go out and do inspections," he said.

The request, if approved, would be funded by some reshuffling within the 2022-23 capital fund budget, according to the proposal.

Ledwith said the $25,000 in contingency funds might not be used, but it is unknown if that's the case right now.

"We'll know more as we actively go out and make these purchases." Ledwith said.

The subcommittee didn't vote on the matter last week, but it sent the request to the full council.

Liam Sweeney, the town's deputy mayor and subcommittee chairman, seemingly endorsed the proposal.

"There is a significant need for this," Sweeney said.

For the agenda of the Feb. 14 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For a draft of the proposed resolution, click on this link and scroll to Page 6.