Walla Walla to get replacement police, fire vehicles

Dec. 08--New police vehicles and a new fire engine will soon be handling emergencies in Walla Walla.

The City Council on Wednesday approved buying eight police utility vehicles, including two K9 rigs, and one fire engine. The police vehicles will cost about $485,850. The replacements will retire the last two of the department's Ford Crown Victoria patrol cars, which were the department's K9 vehicles, spokesman Sgt. Kevin Braman said.

The fire engine will cost $521,936.

The police vehicles are part of a regularly scheduled update, Braman said. Some of the vehicles were around 10 years old. The replacements will be Police Interceptor versions of the Ford Explorer SUV.

"We're wanting to keep the same type of vehicle so it is easier for the shop to stock tires and stuff," he said.

The K9 vehicles are built with cages in the back to transport the dogs, Braman said. They are also equipped with alarm systems to alert the K9 officer when temperatures in the vehicle get too hot or too cold.

Fire Chief Bob Yancey said the department's fire engine will be custom built by Rosenbauer America of Lyons, S.D.

The engine it will replace is nearing 20 years and is starting to experience mechanical difficulties. The Fire Protection Association recommends fire engines be replaced after 15 years.

After 15 years they become outdated, Yancey said, explaining that the new rig will have new technology and advancements in firefighter protection, such as rollover stability, scene lighting and vehicle identification systems.

"In our case, with a 20 year old vehicle, the standards have changed or been updated probably four or five times," Yancey said. " We want the most up to date and safest vehicles for our firefighters."

Five years ago Walla Walla was still recovering from the recession and the fire department decided not to replace the engine, Yancey said, but the economy has improved in the last two years.

The department's other engine will also reach 15 years next year, Yancey said. It's still mechanically sound and reliable so the department will push its replacement out a bit.

"They are big purchase items and they certainly grab people's attention, but it is a necessity," he said. "It is probably one of our most valuable tools we have to do our job."

Tony Buhr can be reached at tonybuhr@wwub.com or 526-8325.

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