LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Louisville Fire Department said several of its trucks are older than recommended, and replacing them is expensive.
The issue was discussed during a Metro Council budget hearing Wednesday, where Fire Chief Brian O'Neill answered questions about the age of the department's vehicles.
O'Neill said Louisville Fire has 31 frontline apparatus, including engines, ladder trucks and five specialty rescue trucks.
The department currently has nine new trucks on order, with three expected to arrive this year. But O'Neill said several frontline vehicles are older than recommended.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, frontline fire apparatus should not be older than 15 years. O'Neill said LFD currently has nine frontline vehicles older than that recommendation, and five more will reach 15 years old this year.
But replacing the vehicles is costly. O'Neill said a fire engine costs about $1.3 million, while a ladder truck costs about $2.4 million.
He said LFD would need about $3 million more each year to consistently replace two vehicles annually.
Future truck replacements could depend on funding approved through the city budget process.
Metro Council has until the end of June to pass the full city budget.
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