ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Rock Island Fire Department is out two of its trucks after they were deemed unsafe for use. They were each 20 years old, which is the maximum shelf life a truck can have according to Rock Island Fire Chief Bob Graff.
Currently, the department is borrowing a truck from Moline until they receive a new engine in early 2024. A new fire engine costs between $600,000 to $900,000. Even though it's unfortunate, Chief Graff says the community will not be impacted.
"We have four stations, four suppression vehicles that are out there strategically placed to first respond," Chief Graff said. "And at no time was there going to be a delay of response or manpower issue."
Chief Graff added that COVID-related supply chain issues have drastically delayed the process for a new fire engine.
"Since COVID, the supply chain has really changed in that time," Chief Graff said. "So before, you're looking at 18 months, maybe two years at the longest, depending on how much customization you really wanted. During and after COVID, you were looking up to four years. I think the supply chain has got it down to about three years at this point in time."
RIFD hopes to receive one of the new engines early in the new year. Chief Graff says the other engines are relatively new and do not have any issues.
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