The Morgan Hill Fire Department’s brand new apparatus – two engines and one truck – have received the finishing touches and are ready for service, according to authorities.
The Morgan Hill City Council authorized the purchase of the new vehicles, plus associated equipment, in August 2012 at a price of about $2.5 million. The fire department acquired the apparatus from Pierce Manufacturing in Wisconsin.
As of January 1, 2013, the City has contracted with CalFire to provide fire and EMS services for Morgan Hill residents, and purchased the two fire stations in the city limits that were formerly owned by the previous contractor, the Santa Clara County Central Fire District.
The City sought a new contractor in order to re-establish its own fire department, and to save about $800,000 per year on fire and EMS costs without sacrificing service.
Morgan Hill firefighters have been preparing the new apparatus for this week’s downtown Independence Day parade, where the City plans to introduce the new equipment to the community.