Both the North Royalton Police and Fire Departments are updating their fleets with new vehicles this year. The Fire Department has received a new ladder and engine, now called Ladder1 and Engine1. The Police Department will receive four SUVs and two motorcycles.
On May 24, Ladder1 was delivered. That will be replacing the department’s current ladder truck that was built in 1995 and has been inoperable for several months. The city’s mutual aid partners have been covering in the case where a ladder truck would be needed, until the new truck is available for service. Communications are being installed, as well as equipment.
On June 5, the Fire Department received Engine1. That also replaces equipment that was built in 1995. Firemen are being trained on the vehicles, and a proficiency test will take place to make sure that all are fully prepared. Both Ladder1 and Engine1 are expected to come into full service some time next month. Ladder1 and Engine1 will be added to the fleet of four ambulances, three of which are frontline and one in reserve.
Both Ladder1 and Engine1 were ordered in December, 2015. Fire Chief Bob Chegan said that “over three years ago, when we prepared the specifications, we were the oldest fleet in 24 cities.” He went on to note that “to keep the trucks we have going for twenty years is amazing. It probably saved the city tens of thousands by making repairs in-house.” Ladder1 is being subsidized with a lease-to-own contract, with the city paying $107,813 annually over ten years. The total cost will be $949,765, plus interest. The rescue engine has been paid, with the cost of $586,815. Both vehicles are being funded through the Fire Capital Reserve Fund, which is subsidized by EMS billing.
$175,000 was budgeted this year for police vehicles and are being subsidized by police levy funds. The North Royalton Police Department will be receiving a Chevy Tahoe, three Ford Interceptor SUVs and two Harley Davidson motorcycles this year. With this purchase, the Police Department will have eleven Interceptors and three Chevrolet Impalas. The department’s old Tahoe, which is used to pull the traffic equipment trailer, will be handed over to Officer Jon Karl, who is the Student Resources Officer.
Legislation has been approved by City Council for the Interceptors, all combined, will not exceed $80,000 and the Tahoe, which will not exceed $35,000. The two Harley Davidson motorcycles will cost just over $19,600 each. The two motorcycles which will be replaced by these, have a trade-in value of about $8,500 each. With these purchases, the city came in under budget by about $38,000, which will be used to purchase a new vehicle for the Police Chief.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer