Jewell, Ankeny fire departments dealing with equipment delays

ANKENY, Iowa — If you’ve tried to buy a new or employed automobile not long ago, you know, it’s not as effortless as it used to be. Suitable now, hearth departments across Iowa are feeling a identical suffering.

“I would say the final 12 months, it is gotten really difficult to get a vehicle in any acceptable sum of time,” mentioned Ankeny Fire Section Chief Jim Clack.

Realistic made use of to mean 9 months, Clack stated. Now, direct moments are three moments that.

“We purchased an ambulance in March of [2021], so a minor above a calendar year ago. Our most up-to-date update from the company is they hope to be in a position to provide it to us a calendar year from now.”

The holdup, he stated is the chassis firefighting apparatus are created on. Complicating issues for Ankeny is how speedy the city is increasing and constructing new fireplace stations, like one set to open in a several years.

“We are in fact buying motor vehicles now that will be utilised two and a few yrs from now,” Clack added.

Down the fireplace line, there is however an additional affect for smaller departments with much less equipment as they deal with the sudden.

“The ones that are owning the most issues are the ones that either have wrecked or crashed or just basic the pumper or equipment wore out, and they cannot use it any longer,” mentioned Jewell Fireplace and Rescue Main Duane Hendrickson. “It truly is gonna be truly tough to exchange that issue.”

Prices are growing, far too. In accordance to Chief Hendrickson, the very long lead periods are making charges unpredictable.

“The suppliers of apparatus will not assure a chassis price,” he explained. “So it truly is quite challenging to spending plan not realizing the end final result.”

Both equally fireplace chiefs say points eventually will get far better. When is however the problem.

“There is no light-weight at the conclude of the tunnel still, as much as direct time for motor vehicle ordering,” Clack explained.