The Jackson Fire Department is one step away from securing new equipment after the Jackson City Council approved unanimously a financing resolution of a proposed lease-purchase agreement, during their monthly meeting, Tuesday.

“It will allow us to get seven pieces of equipment in here – four at the end of the year, and the other three … hopefully by July of (2021),” Don Friddle said, “We’ll be able to solve our problems and pay for this apparatus over a period of 10 years versus having to come up with the $5 million currently, right now.”

Don Friddle, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Jackson Fire Department and Jackson Fire Chief Darryl Samuel appeared before the Jackson City Council to request the funds.

After the meeting, Friddle said the replacement of seven pieces of apparatus – which includes fire trucks and aerial vehicles – are long overdue.

“We had the high rising cost of maintenance last year … we spent $370,000 in maintenance of the vehicles – plus with the breakdowns, the high mileage – we had to do something, so we got creative with our budget,” Friddle said, “We discussed several options, and it’s how it came about with this lease-purchase agreement.

“It helps us to be a little creative with our budget, but still get the apparatus in here.”

Friddle said the Second reading is Tuesday, October 13.

“If it passes – we’ll be ready to move,” Friddle said, “The first one we will be looking at getting will be a 107-foot ladder (truck) that should be here in the next month and a half to two months.

“The other three that will be coming here by the end of this year – first of January – and the final three will be here sometime around June of 2021.”

(PHOTO: Jackson Fire Chief Darryl Samuels, left and Don Friddle, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Jackson Fire Department at City Council meeting, Tuesday)