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What do you do with a surplus fire engine?  The Lansing Fire Commissioners considered this question at their regular September meeting (9/6).  The old Engine 1101, now replaced, was leased to the airport for $1 per month.  Now that the lease is over the Fire District wants to dispose of the old engine.  (The $1 is currently in arrears.  "They returned the truck," said Chief Scott Purcell, "but they didn't give us the dollar.")

The engine was retired because it no longer met changing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.  Once equipment is declared surplus it is up to the district to dispose of it in some way.

1101 was valued at $15,000.  The district would like to sell it for $30,000.  A suggestion was made to include it at Saturday Morning's (9/10) auction at the town barn.  While this was a last-minute suggestion the commissioners approved the idea.  Chief Scott Purcell said he would make sure it gets to the auction area in time to include it in the sale.  The commissioners set a minimum bid of $10,000.

If the vehicle isn't sold at auction the District can try to sell it themselves, or try to give it away.  There was some discussion about donating the old fire engine to Louisiana to help replace equipment lost in the hurricane Katrina disaster.  Nobody knew whether Louisiana is accepting fire trucks, especially those that are not up to code.  The feeling was that it is a good truck and might be welcomed if donated.  The commissioners agreed to follow up with an attorney and their insurance agent to explore the possibility.

Meanwhile the new 1101 is ready for emergencies, housed in the Central Fire Station at 80 Ridge Road.  Department officials hope that its predecessor will extend its useful life where people have a need for it.

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