Elmhurst 'Lucky' To Get In Fire Truck Line

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst aldermen on Tuesday agreed to buy an $820,000 fire truck, saying they needed to decide now.

One of the big factors was that a state grant would pay for the truck. The decision was made despite concerns among some aldermen that the fire department may have too much equipment.

Officials also noted supply chain issues in getting fire trucks.

"We're lucky to get in this line, so we want to get this through the council, so we can carry out the transaction with the dealer," Alderman Mike Brennan told the City Council. "If we waited and passed up this opportunity, there would be ramifications for doing that."

Mayor Scott Levin said another agency backed out of a transaction, allowing the city to step in. Otherwise, he said, the city could have been four years away from getting another truck.

The new truck is expected in late 2024 or early 2025. It would replace a 2002 model that has cost the city nearly $300,000 in repairs over its life, according to a memo.

The council voted unanimously to buy the truck. Aldermen Jennifer Veremis and Jacob Hill were absent.