City of Cortland Awarded Another $1 Million Grant For Firetruck Replacement

*Feature image of Engine 201, which will be replaced. X101 Photo*

The City of Cortland has been awarded another million dollar grant through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program through the Office of Community Renewal towards the cost of replacing another fire truck for the Cortland Fire Department.

Cortland was previously awarded a $1 million grant through the CDBG program back in January towards the purchase of their ladder truck. That truck, Truck 232, was officially delivered to the department back in September of this year, replacing a 1995 truck.

“This is a major investment in the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Scott Steve. “We’re glad we can work in partnership with Thoma and New York State to find creative funding solutions to help relieve our already overburdened taxpayers and provide the vital equipment for our top-notch team of firefighters.”

Cortland Fire Chief Wayne Friedman told X101 News the new truck will replace Engine 201, which was purchased back in 2010. Engine 1 rotates monthly between both fire stations for Cortland Fire, but has experienced maintenance issues including an engine replacement and suspension work. Friedman added the department has a goal of replacing engines every 20 years. By the time the new engine arrives, the current Engine 201 will be about 18 to 19 years old.

“Right now, we’re in the best shape we have been in terms of apparatus replacement.” Friedman told X101 News. “Our ultimate goal is to keep the fleet in as good of shape as we can, but the cost to maintain them, just like your car, has gone up astronomically also.”

The city and department are working together to finalize plans for the purchase of the new truck, which is expected to take about 24 months for delivery. Premier Fire Apparatus is expected to construct the truck for the department at an estimated cost around $1.1 million; the city will have to come up with the remaining $100/150k. The current engine will then be surplused post-delivery. Cortland Fire’s apparatus plan looks to have a new truck come to the department every 5 years with engines replaced at 20 years and ladder trucks not kept over 30 years.

Assisting with the grant was Thoma Development Consultants, Mayor Steve’s Office said in a release.