Owning a fire truck might seem like a pipe dream, but it could be reality for one lucky bidder.
The Hopkinton Fire Department has listed one of its retired fire engines for auction on Municibid.com. The opening bid price is $5,000, and the auction is open until this Wednesday, Aug. 7.
UPDATE, Aug. 9: The engine was sold for $10,100 to Brindlee Mountain Apparatus in Union Grove, Alabama. The company, which buys and sells used fire trucks, likely will either refurbish the truck or scrap it for parts.
A 2002 E-One Pumper Cyclone with six seats, the truck has about 48,000 miles on it. It has a 1,200-gallon water tank and two foam systems. It also is equipped with a 10,000-watt generator. Both the engine and generator still start and run. It does not come with fire hoses.
According to the town, the truck has some “minor cosmetic defects and bubbling in the paint,” and it is being sold “as is — where is.” Potential bidders can make an appointment to view the truck by calling the HFD business line at 508-497-2325.
All proceeds from the sale of the truck will go to the town of Hopkinton. According to a press release, the funds could be used for things like road maintenance, public safety initiatives and more.
The truck was retired by the Fire Department after 20 years of service.
“It had reached its life expectancy,” said Hopkinton Fire Department Lt. Billy Krauss. “Twenty years is the magic number for pumpers like that.”
Two new fire trucks recently were purchased by the department. One is taking the place of the retired truck, while the other replaces a truck that “failed when it was being refurbished,” according to Krauss.
The new trucks have better visibility, sleeker designs and greater capacities to go where the previous trucks could not, Krauss explained.
The cabs of the new trucks also feature designs that meet criteria for the Clean Cab Concept. This concept prioritizes cab designs that can be cleaned in such a way as to limit fire scene contaminants and improve cancer prevention.
“The new trucks have been really good for us,” said Krauss.
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