The Coweta County Commission is expected in November to consider to purchase a ladder truck for the county fire department. The item was on the Oct. 7 agenda but the board agreed to postpone discussion until next month. Fire Chief Bill Haynes recommended the purchase of a 2009 Sutphen Custom SPH-100 Aerial Platform from Williams Fire Apparatus for $1.058 million.

The Williams bid was the highest of the three received, including those of $996,570 from Ten-8 Fire Equipment and a $1.006 million bid from KME (Nafeco). Haynes offered four reasons why the Williams bid would best suit the needs of the growing county.

The weight of the Williams vehicle is 10,000-12,000 pounds less than the other two vendors, he said in an Oct. 7 letter to the commissioners. Haynes said the Sutphen’s shorter wheelbase will provide for a better turning radius than the other two. It has a protected waterway on the ladder, a type of protection the other two bids could not offer. And the cab design allows for a better reach with the ladder, Haynes said.

Commenting on the Ten-8 and Nafeco bids, Haynes said the Ten-8 bid was the lowest but it had 42 exceptions to the specifications, and while the  Nafeco truck carried the lowest bid it had 16 exceptions to the specifications outlined by the county.

Funding for the ladder truck will come from the Impact Fee Account that carries a current balance of $1.237 million.

If accepted by commissioners, representatives for Williams said the truck would be delivered 11-12 months after the contract is approved.

Commissioners are expected to discuss the purchase in November.    

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