Waiting Until 2027? La Grange May Get Fire Truck Sooner

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange has found a way to get a new fire truck sooner than March 2027 and save money doing so, the fire chief says.

Last fall, the village placed an order for a fire engine that cost nearly $1.1 million, getting it in 2027.

But looking at its fleet, the village made buying a new truck sooner a priority.

In a memo, Fire Chief Daniel Reda said the village looked at buying a demo fire engine, which manufacturers use for trade shows or unforeseen circumstances.

Reda said he found a demo engine that is better suited to the fire department's needs than the engine on order.

The engine in question could be delivered between March and July 2025 and would cost $950,000, more than $100,000 less than the other one, the memo said.

The engine would replace the one on order.

According to the memo, the costs of fire engines have risen more than 40 percent over the last four years, with wait times between 35 and 38 months.

"This is due to several factors, including the costs of production, labor, supply chain challenges and high demand," Reda said.

On Monday, the Village Board is expected to vote on buying the fire engine.