After Successful First Attempt For Funding Towards New Ladder Truck, City Applies For CDBG Funding For New Fire Engine

The City of Cortland was successful when the city first applied for funding through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) towards the purchase of a new ladder truck for the Cortland Fire Department. The city was awarded $1 million dollars in funding for the new ladder truck, which is expected to be delivered to the department sometime this summer.

Now the city looks to apply once again for up to $1 million dollars in funding for the purchase of a new fire engine for the department. Deputy Chief for the City of Cortland Fire Department, Derek Reynolds, spoke during the City of Cortland Common Council meeting on Tuesday that the replacement cost for a new fire engine is about $1.1 million dollars.

“We did receive the ladder truck last time for this [grant] and it was successful, one of the first ones in the state.” Mayor Steve said on using the grant funds for the purchase of fire apparatus. “So we’re trying for another one.”

Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman told X101 News, the department looks to use the grant funding to replace Engine 201, which was delivered in 2015. The City of Cortland Fire Department has an apparatus replacement plan of 20 years. Currently, the timeline for delivery of a new fire engine is estimated between 2 ½ to 3 years. Friedman added this engine has had some issues including a motor replacement, replacement of rear suspension. With modern fire engines and the increased use of electronic components, maintenance costs have risen.

The Common Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Steve to file an application for the grant funding and also committed to future funds in the amount of $110,000 from the city general fund to pay for anticipated costs that exceed the grant amount.