By Bill Short
The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen has adopted a resolution approving the Fire Department’s request to purchase vehicles, emergency lighting and rescue equipment.
Board members took the action during their July 14 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Al Bell and seconded by Alderman John Perales.
The motion was passed by six affirmative votes, with Alderman Chris Ford absent.
The resolution states that the Fiscal Year 2026 capital expenditure budget includes $850,000 for firefighting vehicles.
It notes that the Fire Department has received a Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing quote of $684,900 for an E-One pumper truck from Sunbelt Fire Inc. that meets the department’s needs.
The department also requested to purchase two staff vehicles – one for the Public Safety director and one for the “new fire chief” for $88,551.
The resolution states that remaining FY26 funds will be used to purchase hydraulic rescue equipment, assorted “loose” fire equipment and emergency lighting for $60,000.
Gary Graves, the city’s Public Safety director and fire chief, told the board that the Fire Department’s “reserve” pumper will be sold.
He recalled that, in Fiscal Year 2023, the department ordered a new pumper that has been “two years in the making,” because that was “post-COVID,” and everything was “backed up.”
It “comes offline” on Aug. 12.
Graves also said the pumper approved at the July 14 meeting is already built and meets the department’s needs.
Because it was expected to “come out of production” in the “next week or so,” he said both trucks should be delivered about the same time around the end of August.
During a telephone interview last week, Graves said the two new trucks will replace the current “frontline” pumpers.
The one coming offline on Aug. 12 will replace Engine 335 at Station 1, and the one approved on July 14 will replace Engine 332 at Station 2.
Graves noted that Engine 337, the pumper slated to be sold, will be “posted” through GovDeals, like all surplus city property is.
So, the department will have two “brand-new” frontline pumpers and two reserve pumpers.
“We’ve come a long way in upgrading our equipment,” he acknowledged. “And to have two new pieces of equipment certainly helps us meet our needs in a city that’s growing and emphasizes the board’s commitment to public safety.”
