Murrysville council authorizes purchase of new $1.5 million ladder truck

The ladder truck for Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 is affectionately referred to as “Diane.”

But firefighters will have a new “woman” in their lives when August 2022 rolls around. Murrysville council approved the $1.5 million purchase of a new 2022 Sutphen aerial platform truck.

“Sutphen met our need and the community’s needs the best,” said No. 1 Chief Brian Synan. “It’s the same truck we have currently, only a little short than what we’ve got right now.”

“Diane” is about 20 years old, and the truck is approaching the end of its useful life. Synan noted that it does have between $150,000 and $200,000 in potential salvage value.

“The market for used trucks is pretty soft right now,” he said. “We’ll try and sell it outright if we can.”

While Murrysville’s fire companies use the trucks, the municipality purchases and owns them, Synan said. “They’re titled to the municipality, and they also pay for the maintenance,” he said.

Council authorized a purchase not to exceed $1.5 million.

“The original budget was $1.8 million,” said Mayor Regis Synan, Brian Synan’s father. “I think the fire company has done a good job trying to bring the price down and help the budget as much as possible.”

When “Diane” was purchased in the early 2000s, the truck cost $800,000. Synan said the fire company added some modifications over the years, “and a lot of those modifications are included in this new truck.”

Since fire vehicles are customized for the companies that will use them, the fully built-out truck will be delivered in August 2022, Synan said.

He said the process of purchasing a new truck takes a couple of years to do correctly.

“We want to put in the time and effort to make sure we’re making the right decision for the community,” Synan said.