NEW FIRE TRUCK CLOSER TO REALITY FOR VINTON

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 18, 1993                   TAG: 9302180548
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
NEW FIRE TRUCK CLOSER TO REALITY FOR VINTON
The Town of Vinton is getting closer to replacing a Fire Department ladder truck that has been out of service for more than two years.
Acting Town Manager Bob Benninger told Vinton Town Council Tuesday he is working with the Roanoke County Procurement Office for bids on a new, equipped ladder truck.
Roanoke County owns half of the truck that was disabled after a manufacturer's warning of possible defects.
Since January 1991, Vinton fire personnel have been trying to get the truck fixed or replaced, first by contacting manufacturers, and then by turning to town staff for assistance. Options studied have included replacing the ladder, purchasing a repair kit and replacing the truck.
Finally, at the request of Town Council, Vinton Fire Chief Barry Fuqua recommended that a new truck be purchased and the existing truck converted for other uses.
Firefighters have been saying for several months that the absence of a ladder truck has jeopardized the lives of citizens, particularly during flooding.
Fuqua said backup trucks from Roanoke and Roanoke County are unable to get into Vinton during flooding, and fire emergencies in those localities take priority over assisting Vinton.
The town also has filed a lawsuit against seven manufacturers of the truck. Several of the manufacturers have gone out of business and others are spread across the country, Fuqua said.
Now that the truck is being replaced, Fuqua said he is looking at the cost of converting the disabled truck for use as a tanker or regular engine. If this option is cost prohibitive, Fuqua said he will recommend the existing truck be used as a trade-in.
Fuqua said that in order to save time and money, the town will try to purchase an existing new truck rather than one that would be built from town specifications. He estimated the truck will cost between $350,000 and $400,000.
No one was able to say when a new ladder truck would be operational.
Council also met in executive session to review applicants for the vacant town manager position. Mayor Charles Hill said 11 candidates have been interviewed and final determination is expected within the next two weeks.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB