WALDPORT – The Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue board has approved taking out a loan to buy a 2009 fire engine that will become the workhorse out of its main station in downtown Waldport.
The district is buying the engine from Humboldt Fire & Rescue in Eureka, Calif. for $100,000 and will spend another $10,000 to install a radio system and make other changes to meet COCF&R standards, said Fire Chief Jamie Mason.
The engine should be in service in 2-3 weeks, Mason said. Maintenance officer Erich Knudson went to Eureka several weeks ago to run pump tests and other checks on the engine.
Because of their cost — $600,000 to $700,000 – small fire departments rarely buy new engines, instead looking for well-cared for used engines from larger departments. Humboldt was asking $125,000.
Although the district has enough money in its equipment reserve to buy the engine, the board Tuesday night approved taking out a 5-year loan at 3.2 percent interest to purchase it. The district plans to ask voters next May to approve a bond to pay for buying and remodeling the downtown station, which is owned by the city of Waldport, and to purchase other equipment. If the bond is approved, Mason said the district can simply pay off the loan for the engine without penalty.
The 2000 Pierce engine now used as the first responder out of the Waldport station has been having maintenance issues. “It’s just tired,” Mason said. It will be moved to the Tidewater station when it opens this summer.
