Months ago, the City authorized the purchase of a new quint fire apparatus, and therefore a vehicle that was in service beforehand has now been placed in reserve, giving the City cause to determine on how to dispose of the older vehicle.
Recognizing this situation, Salina Area Technical College reached out and asked if the City would consider donating the vehicle to the school's Fire Science Program.
The vehicle that was up for discussion was a 1994 model, of which the City researched different ways to properly dispose of the vehicle. This included selling the truck as surplus.
The City does have a history of donating surplus fire equipment, including to Crisis City.
On a fiscal note, the vehicle was estimated to possibly bring in anywhere from $30,000-$65,000 if it were to be sold as surplus.
When it came time for commissioner questions, Commissioner Hoppock was wondering how it would be used as a teaching tool.
Salina Area Technical College President Greg Nichols stated, "The firefighters need to learn how to use the equipment. "We don't have any vehicle right now, and we take our students off sight." Nichols went on, "Sometimes that will work very well, and sometimes that will not work very well. A small class we can transport easier, but if we have a larger class, that's a challenge."
Nichols went on to explain that having equipment right on campus will help improve that. He also stated that with the acquisition of this vehicle, the campus has "the hope that this program grows enough that we would offer an associate degree, that could build those firefighter credentials within the community and this region."
Commissioner Davis asked if the vehicle would be able to be serviced as needed within the campus.
Nichols responded, "We do have a diesel program that would work on the vehicle if need be to maintain it. We wouldn't need to go externally to service the vehicle, we have it in house."
The motion to donate the fire truck to Salina Area Technical College was approved 4-0. Commissioner Karl Ryan was not present.