EHT Awards Contract for Cardiff Firetruck

Friday, December 12 2008 @ 12:26 pm EST

Contributed by: CBrining

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Friday, December 12, 2008

By MICHELLE LEE Staff Writer, 609-272-7256

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The second time was the charm for Egg Harbor Township officials to agree on how to purchase a new firetruck for the Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company.

Two companies submitted proposals in the second round of bids, and the Township Committee awarded the contract Tuesday to Guardian Fire Equipment, a distributor based in Harleysville, Pa. The firetruck will cost $453,713, about $8,000 less than the company's offer from the first round of bidding. The vehicle will come from E-One, an Ocala, Fla.-based fire equipment manufacturer.

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While the firetruck costs more than the amount set aside in the 2008 budget, Township Administrator Peter Miller said the township will use money intended for communication equipment to cover the difference, about $18,000 from the fire department and $35,000 from the police department. The communication-equipment funds will be restored in the 2009 budget, Miller said.

The firetruck became a controversial issue back in October, when the first round of bidding drew only one offer - also from Guardian Fire Equipment - for about $461,000. That bid was thrown out.

Township officials questioned why only one company wanted to supply the firetruck and why the bid came in higher than expected. They also were concerned because the state Commission of Investigation issued a report about how new firetrucks are sometimes bought using unusual methods, such as proposals written to favor particular manufacturer, and some firefighters double as salesmen that earn a commission.

Cardiff Assistant fire Chief Rob Winkler said the second bid came in lower after the proposal was revised to be more generic and to include less-expensive lighting and door fixtures. Winkler also said the fire department will send three firefighters down to Ocala to inspect the vehicle, two fewer people than in the prior bid. Once the contract is signed, Winkler said the firetruck should be completed in six or seven months. The vehicle could be in town by August or September, he said. Fire Chief Tom Sweeny said he was very glad the new firetruck will be purchased and that the controversy is behind them.

E-mail Michelle Lee: MLee@pressofac.com