(Harlan) Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen appeared before the Harlan City Council on Tuesday to discuss the bidding process for a proposed new ladder truck for the department. The plan involves replacing the current ladder truck with a 100-foot mid-mount tower rig to better serve the community.
Chief Bissen emphasized the importance of the ladder truck, noting that it is deployed to all structure fires in the area. He also highlighted a mutual aid agreement with smaller communities within the county, where the aerial truck would be available to assist in protecting critical areas like main streets.
The proposed new aerial truck comes with a significant price tag of $2,279,737. Bissen explained that paying the full cost upfront would save the city $340,807. However, according to the bonding attorney, the city does not currently have the funds to cover the entire amount immediately. If paid in full after one year, the city would still save $250,456.
To streamline the bidding process and avoid potential conflicts of interest, Bissen proposed the use of a bidding consortium. Such arrangements involve multiple companies collaborating to submit a single bid for the project.
The estimated build time for the new aerial truck is approximately 48 months. After discussion, the City Council granted Chief Bissen the authority to proceed with the consortium and finalize the details, including bidding fees.
This investment aims to enhance the fire department’s capabilities while also supporting the county’s smaller communities in times of need.
