Hoquiam likely to put fire equipment bond on November ballot to replace aging engine

By Dan Hammock • July 17, 2020 3:30 pm

Hoquiam’s aging fire engines have led the City Council to draft an ordinance to put a fire engine bond on this year’s November general election ballot.

City Administrator Brian Shay told the council Monday that the city’s engines are 31, 24 and 18 years old and conversations about the need for a replacement go back several years. In order to get a bond measure on the November ballot, the council would have to approve an ordinance for the bond measure at its next meeting on July 27.

After reviewing recent fire apparatus purchases by Aberdeen and other fire agencies, members of the Hoquiam Fire Department figured the city is looking at around $850,000 in total for the new apparatus.

All of the city’s fire trucks have out lived the 15-year lifespan recommended by the Washington State Rating Bureau. Aging fire equipment is one of the elements considered by the bureau when it sets fire insurance rates for municipalities; old equipment can equal higher insurance rates.

“I know of course we would love to not add any cost at all during these crazy times, but the information that (Assistant Fire Chief) Rich (Malizia) was able to present really is compelling,” said Ward 3 Councilwoman Shannon Patterson, saying it’s important “to keep the safety of Hoquiam and the effectiveness of our equipment in mind.”

Ward 2 Councilman Steven Puvogel said he’d like to see the bond spread out over 15 years to keep the cost down to residents. The final cost to residents related to the bond would have to be made before the ballot measure is turned in to the county Auditor’s Office in early August.

Malizia told the council that Capt. Matt Miller had applied for fire grants for apparatus, but didn’t hold out much hope those grants would be awarded, at least not in the short term, and the need for a new engine is pressing.

“I’m getting reports from my crews in the last month the 1996 engine, Engine 1, is starting to have some major issues popping up on it,” said Malizia. “We truly do need to move forward on replacement. It takes time to get one speced and built.”