WILKES-BARRE — After experiencing several serious fires in the past year, the city of Wilkes-Barre is considering buying an extra fire truck during Thursday’s council meeting.
In November of last year, firefighters were called to a house on fire in the 400 block of South River Street. Just a few months later, in January, a large fire destroyed three houses and caused significant damage to a fourth house on North Empire Street.
More recently, the fire department responded to fires at B’nai B’rith Senior Apartments on East Northampton Street and a double block residence in the 100 block of South Regent Street in February.
The recent emergencies have made it necessary to upgrade the equipment, according to Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney.
“There’s been a lot of high-profile fires in the city over the last three or four months, and I think the public has seen firsthand the job that our experienced firefighters do and the other part of the equation is to have that equipment that can get us to the fire and to help us extinguish it,” Delaney said to council members during Tuesday night’s work session.
The proposed new fire truck, a 2024 Pierce Enforcer Custom 1500 GPM Pumper, was custom designed by Delaney’s crew. If approved by council, the truck will be purchased from Glick Fire Equipment Company, Inc., at a cost of $850,000.
But the expense is justified to ensure safety, Delaney told council.
“Our goal here is to replace engine number five, which is over 18-years-old and has nearly 8,000 hard miles on it – but miles don’t tell the entire story,” he said, noting that an engine’s fire pump hours are a critical part of the replacement equation.
“Fire pumps have impellers in them to pump the water inside to the firefighters that are inside fighting the fires. It’s critical to have up-to-date equipment that works properly. Should that fire pump fail and those firefighters are inside — that’s really their lifeline,” Delaney added.
Councilman Tony Brooks questioned if the funding for the engine would be taken out of the general fund, which Mayor George Brown said is not the case.
“It will be a lease purchase and, as long as we get the revenue that we expect coming in, we’ll pay that off so that it’s short-term,” he said.
According to Delaney, the new engine comes complete with a 750-gallon water tank, and should serve the city for at least the next 15 years. If approved by council, it will be ready for use by mid-October.
Property tax forgiveness
Also during Thursday’s session, council members will vote on forgiving taxes on the vacant properties at 38-46 Carey Ave., which were donated to Wyoming Valley habitat for Humanity late last year.
Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity, which has served the area since 1992, builds simple, decent homes for Wyoming Valley families in need. The entirety of the home building (or restoration, depending on the property) process is completed with volunteer labor.
With the lots on Carey Avenue, Brown says the nonprofit will be able to house local families in need.
“He said there might be four or five new houses built on that land, which would improve the whole neighborhood and increase the tax revenue from those properties.”
During the meeting on Thursday, the council will also decide on:
• Allowing the appropriate city officials to sign all necessary papers for awarding the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, SRI, for $11,800 for tearing down 67 Prospect St.
• Allowing the appropriate city officials to sign all necessary papers for awarding the contract to the most qualified service, Franchelli Enterprises, Inc., for the City of Wilkes-Barre One Call Service for a flat rate of $100 per hour.
• Allowing the temporary suspension of Section 20-4 of the Wilkes-Barre Code of Ordinances (open alcohol consumption) and not enforcing it for the Fine Arts Fiesta from May 15 – May 19.
• Nominating Ron Slusser to the Police Civil Service Commission.
• Nominating Jack Nolan to the Zoning Hearing Board.
• Cancelling Article III of Chapter 26 titled “Pave Cuts.”
The regular meeting will start at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the fourth floor of Wilkes-Barre City Hall.
