Sale of Hinesburg Fire Truck Funds Equipment Upgrades
The recent sale of a tanker truck from the Hinesburg Fire Department has provided funding for crucial upgrades to the firefighters’ equipment.
This sale enabled the station to acquire five new headsets, which, according to Chief Prescott Nadeau, were urgently needed by the department. “These headsets are essential for the fire truck. They’re wireless, which significantly reduces noise, so when the siren is sounding, the volume is much lower,” Nadeau explained.
The truck sold for $135,000, exceeding the department’s initial asking price by $50,000. Nadeau emphasized that this successful sale enhances firefighter safety and benefits taxpayers. “We were able to raise much more than we anticipated, which we reinvested into safety equipment that protects 100 firefighters while also easing the financial burden on taxpayers,” Nadeau stated.
The Hinesburg station collaborated with Garage, a company that specializes in offering fire truck equipment and resources on a national scale.
“A common challenge facing the fire service is that smaller volunteer departments often lack the budget to purchase a new fire truck, which can cost up to $2 million. Therefore, many of our buyers are smaller departments on our platform,” noted Andrew Purdy, a representative from Garage.
Nadeau mentioned that partnering with Garage made it easier for the Hinesburg station to manage the sale effectively and connect with a department that required the truck. The Hinesburg tanker was sold to a fire station located in Pennsylvania.
This transaction not only supports the local firefighters but also demonstrates how strategic partnerships can yield beneficial outcomes for both communities and their respective emergency services.
