Hinsdale officials are planning to streamline the fire department’s fleet — and save some money in the process.
At Tuesday’s village board meeting, trustees signaled their support for acquiring a Snorkel aerial fire truck to take the place of both the existing engine and ladder truck vehicles.
Interim Fire Chief Jeffrey Pindelski, who was hired in May, told trustees that he was asked to evaluate the department’s operations when he came on board.
“I have identified an opportunity to realign our emergency response procedures as well as apparatus fleet to improve effectiveness while increasing efficiency,” Pindelski said.
The $1.7-million Snorkel truck has the same footprint and maneuverability as a fire engine, he reported, and features a 55-foot boom that bends at its midpoint with a basket on the end.
“The allows the unit to reach up, outward and down, which can be advantageous to get up and over roof parapets, working around power lines, and for below-grade operations such trench rescues and collapse incidents,” he said, noting it allows for water stream if needed. “It is also lightweight enough to be able to be placed on driveways and parkways, if necessary, without causing any damage.”
Pindelski acknowledged that a Snorkel is not ideal for every community but said it’s a “perfect fit” for Hinsdale.
“The Snorkel meets the same critical functions and capabilities needed both of an engine as well as a ladder truck,” he said, noting a Snorkel is better suited than the less versatile ladder truck to address emergencies in the downtown business district as well as in residential neighborhoods.
Village President Tom Cauley said new Environmental Protection Agency rules governing diesel vehicles soon will take affect, resulting in a higher cost for the Snorkel. Acquiring it would allow the village to sell its ladder truck immediately and not replace it in 2029 for $2 million as had been scheduled. Neither would the current engine be replaced in 2030 for an estimated $900,000.
“We would reduce the amount of apparatuses from five to four,” Cauley said. “In addition we would save $105,000 because our engine needs refurbishing in 2026, so we wouldn’t have to refurbish the engine.
“We would be spending $1.7 million and deferring costs of $3 million, so we would have a net savings of somewhere between $1.3 million and 1.7 million” depending on how the village finances the purchase, he added.
The Snorkel would not be delivered until 2026 per the manufacturing timeline, and the village would not need to pay until then. Pindelski said not having a ladder truck during the interim would not compromise department services because neighboring communities would assist.
Trustee Neale Byrnes asked if other communities are using the Snorkel. Pindelski said Chicago and Romeoville have invested in them, but the longstanding “glitz and glam” of having a ladder truck is a factor against change.
“Looking at the specific needs of a community is more important,” he responded.
Trustees are expected to vote on purchasing the Snorkel at their Sept. 17 meeting, as the deadline to place an order is Sept. 20 to avoid a price increase.
“At the end of the day we’ll have less equipment and we’ll save money on equipment,” Cauley said.
