The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is looking to replace a bunch of municipal vehicles and equipment at an estimated cost of $11.7 million.
Most of the vehicles to be replaced, if the replacements are approved by council Monday evening, are fire trucks and Public Works trucks.
A report going before council identifies fire trucks, such as aerials and pumpers, could take three years to deliver, and expected delivery time for dump trucks is 1-2 years.
Other municipal vehicles are past their lifecycle of 10, 15, and 20 years.
Chatham-Kent's Manager of Fleet Services said the money will come from the Municipal Fleet Reserve.
"The decision to replace municipal vehicles is driven by multiple factors aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and ensuring overall effectiveness of the services," said Manager of Fleet Services Shaheer Alam. "One crucial aspect is the age and condition of the existing vehicle and equipment. As vehicles age, they tend to experience increased maintenance issues, leading to higher operational costs and potential downtime."
Alam noted delivery time plays a pivotal role in the decision-making process because timely replacement ensures a seamless transition in maintaining essential services, avoiding disruptions caused by breakdowns or prolonged maintenance periods.
Replacement of fire trucks and equipment is driven by safety compliance and regulations and is crucial to maintaining effective emergency response infrastructure, according the Manager of Fleet Services.
