Does your department lease apparatus and, if not, has that option been considered? Here are replies to this month’s Roundtable question from some Fire Engineering readers; read Skip Coleman’s reply HERE.
Rick Lasky, Fire Chief
Lewisvill (TX) Fire Department
Response: In Lewisville, rather than using a traditional lease style program, we utilize an “internal lease” program. This is a program where years ago they funded each budget with the amount they would need each year to make a payment if you will, on a piece of apparatus as if you were leasing it from an outside firm, when you’re actually making the payment to your own city. Each year when the new fiscal year begins, they take the payments out of our budget and place it into the internal lease fund. This fund also earns interest over the years which allows for that buffer you need when it comes to an unexpected increase in a purchase or that new light bar or radio. An example would be that of where we just ordered three new engines and simply cut the purchase order for the amount needed and placed the order with the funding already in the internal lease account. If you’re looking for information on how it works here and for all that it involves, give assistant chief Darrell Brown a shout at dbrown@cityoflewisville.com and he’ll get you lined out.
City of Miami (FL) Fire Rescue
Response: Leasing apparatus has been discussed as far back as the mialthough not undertaken in Miami. Due to budget restraints we are finding it very difficult to purchase new vehicles. We have refurbished trucks to increase the life expectancy of our spare fleets. This option must be considered during the next few years to get us through these tough times.
