DUBOIS: DuBois City Council has given the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department approval to move forward with selling several older fire vehicles, with the goal of helping finance new vehicles for department leadership.

Fire Chief Joseph Mitchell presented the request to council in a written proposal, noting that the plan was reviewed during the department’s reorganization meeting held Jan. 5. The proposal marks the initial step in a broader effort to streamline the department’s fleet by eliminating aging and redundant apparatus.

According to Mitchell, the department is seeking to sell three units: Old Engine 75, Rescue 74, and Engine 73-2. He indicated that additional equipment could be placed up for sale later this year or early next year as the downsizing initiative continues.

Mitchell explained that changes brought about by the consolidation of the City of DuBois and Sandy Township fire services resulted in a restructured command staff. While the department now operates with five chiefs, the elimination of company chief positions means only three chiefs currently have assigned department vehicles. The remaining two chiefs have been responding to incidents using their personal vehicles.

To resolve that issue, the department requested approval to purchase two chief officer vehicles using funds from its capital reserve investment account. Mitchell said any money generated from the sale of the apparatus would be deposited back into that account to help offset the purchase cost.

Councilman Richard Whitaker asked for an estimate of the potential revenue from the equipment sale. Mitchell said the department anticipates bringing in roughly $100,000, while the cost of the two vehicles is expected to fall between $100,000 and $120,000, depending on market conditions and availability.

Mitchell noted the department plans to acquire pickup trucks through the state CoStars cooperative purchasing program, which offers reduced pricing. He said the discounts available through the program make purchasing new vehicles more cost-effective than buying used ones in this situation.

He also emphasized that the vehicles would serve multiple purposes and could be reassigned to fire companies, public works, or other city departments if the department’s command structure changes in the future.

The proposal was introduced under new business, and council unanimously approved both the sale of the apparatus and the purchase of the chief vehicles using fire department capital reserve funds.

Mitchell thanked council for its support and said he is prepared to continue discussions on the department’s long-term plans for apparatus replacement and fleet reduction.