A new pumper truck is expected to make firefighting efforts inside the City of Andalusia more efficient.

The Andalusia Fire Department expects to take delivery of its 2019 KME Custom pumper truck in August, after the Andalusia City Council approved the purchase Tuesday night. 

Fire Chief Russell McGlamory explained that the ISO requires the department to deliver 3,500 gallons per minute when fighting fires. At present, local firefighters have to take three trucks to a fire – two that pump at 1,250 gallons per minute and one that pumps at 1,500 gallons per minute – to achieve that standard. 

A company called the ISO (Insurance Services Office) creates ratings for fire departments and their surrounding communities. The ratings calculate how well-equipped fire departments are to put out fires in that community.

Chief McGlamory said the truck – which was built with upgrades for shows – will replace a 30-year-old truck purchased in 1989.  By purchasing the model truck, the city can take delivery in August. If the AFD ordered a truck that had not been used in shows, it would take a minimum of a year for delivery.

The city will pay half of the $488,471 from its capital fund, and finance half with CCB Community Bank in Andalusia. The bank is provided five-year, fixed rate financing at 3.05 percent interest.