Submitted by Harry Fisher, Republican chair of Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation
The democrat machine in Greenwich put out an email Thursday morning that is full of lies and distortions. It is linked here https://mailchi.mp/greenwichdemocrats/firetruck?e=9f132ff0c7
Please do not get sucked in by disingenuous communications. This is not the first time, but it is among the worst.
Yes, Fire Engine One, a 2018 model and the newest in the fleet was destroyed last summer on I-95. The Greenwich Fire Department (GFD) with the support of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) was able to get a second Engine added to an existing order and both will be delivered in less than a year.
In addition the BET in the current fiscal year appropriated funds to purchase two, not one, but two, new Engines. Delivery is expected to be in late 2028 or 2029. Lead times for fire equipment has lengthened dramatically in the past 18 months,; I suspect due to all the excessive appropriations coming out of Washinton under the Biden administration.
Yes, Engine 51 was damaged in a single vehicle accident in early December. Acting quickly GFD identified two used Engines with low mileage that could be purchased. The BET then used its emergency powers to appropriate sufficient funds to purchase one without waiting for RTM approval in March. I consulted with key members of the RTM who supported the effort.
Good thing we acted as one Engine was sold to another buyer. Ours will arrive in a couple of weeks if all goes well. It has 4 to 5 years of expected life until it hits the 25-year mandated retirement, so is a good filler for the fleet.
The town’s insurance carrier will pay for repairs to Engine 51, but those will take 4 to 6 months.
Yes, the GFD does contact the Stamford FD if its inventory of working vehicles gets tight, but that is more a function of staffing issues at the town’s Fleet Department. GFD has never had to borrow equipment; it simply is being proactive.
Democrats, especially those on the BET, should be ashamed of the distortions promulgated by the Greenwich democrat party.
Harry Fisher
Republican and Chairmen of the BET