Tamara Gregor
The Duncan Banner, Okla.
(TNS)
Jun. 28—MARLOW — Marlow Fire Department will see a new fire engine in operation in the upcoming weeks after moving to obtain it nearly two years ago.
City Administrator Jason McPherson said the new 3,000-gallon tanker pumper was delivered Monday, June 24.
Fire Chief Jason Miller said they signed the paperwork for the tanker in 2022.
In July 2022, Miller sent a request to the Stephens County Commissioners to seek bids for a new 3,000-gallon tanker truck to be paid through county tax.
In September 2022, County Commissioners approved a lease purchase agreement with Marlow Fire Department, followed by an apparatus purchase agreement between MFD, County Commissioners and Deep South Fire Truck for a 3,000-gallon tanker pumper for $363,501.
Miller said when the truck was approved in 2022 they knew it would be a minimum of 18 months out before they received anything.
In the past week, Stephens County Commissioners approved an updated lease purchase agreement with Deep South Fire Trucks, Inc. for Marlow Volunteer Fire Department for a 2025 International Deep South Fire Tanker. The lease purchase price will be $413,508 with a 60-month term and renewed each fiscal year. The board approved the item on June 17.
The 18-month waiting period, Miller said, goes back to the Covid-19 pandemic as it was difficult to get cabs, chassis and all the necessary parts.
“The cabs and chassis is what took us so long,” he said.
With not a lot of space, Miller said they needed a truck to fit several different applications for their fire service.
Miller said it’s something new and different for the fire department.
“We’ve got rural covered, we’ve got in-town covered, we’ve got grass fires covered,” Miller said. “We definitely have the ability to do several, many different things.”
As ready as the department is to get the truck in operation, Miller said they are still waiting on a few necessary items, such as hoses, which will arrive in the next few weeks.
“We’ll definitely have it in service just as fast as we can get it in service,” Miller said.
More on the Marlow City Council meeting will publish in future editions of The Duncan Banner.
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