Citing rapidly rising costs and production schedules, Germantown Fire-EMS Chief Josh Forrer, made the case to City Council to order a new tanker for the department. The tanker, approved at the June Council meeting, will cost the City $497,644.
The new tanker will replace the department’s current 1997 apparatus, which is approaching 30 years of service. The new truck is scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
Forrer told City Council that waiting to order the new tanker until 2027, as originally planned, would cost an additional estimated $200,000 and potentially not be delivered until 2029.
“While the current truck has served our community well,” Forrer stated, “increasing maintenance costs, age, and advancements in fire apparatus technology made replacement necessary to ensure we continue providing reliable emergency service for years to come.”
Specs for the Germantown Fire-EMS tanker
📸 City of Germantown
According to Chief Forrer, the new tanker is built on a 2027 Freightliner M2-112 two-person chassis, powered by a Cummins L9 450 HP engine and an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. “It is designed to meet the operational needs of our department while improving efficiency and firefighter safety,” he said.
Example of a similar tanker
Some of the key features include:
2,000-gallon water tank, increasing water carrying capacity by 750 gallons over the current tanker.
HALE DSD 1250 GPM fire pump.
Rear swivel dump valve operated from the cab for safer and more efficient water shuttle operations.
Deck gun for high-volume fire streams.
Two front crosslay attack lines for quicker deployment.
Extended front bumper with a pre-connected trash line for smaller outside fires. (not in the spec attachment, booster line removed as well)
Ground ladders mounted on the apparatus.
Hose bed access ladder to improve firefighter safety while loading hose.
Water tank level gauges located on both sides and the rear of the apparatus, allowing crews to monitor available water from multiple locations instead of only at the pump panel.
“This apparatus represents a significant investment in the future of Germantown Fire-EMS,” Forrer said. “The increased water capacity will enhance our ability to protect homes and businesses in areas without hydrants while also strengthening our mutual aid capabilities throughout the region.”
During the Council meeting in which he supported the purchase, Mayor Terry Johnson said, “The safety, health and well-being of the public is our top priority.”
During the June Council meeting, the Chief told members that once the new tanker is delivered, Germantown Fire-EMS will keep the existing tanker as back-up and then evaluate its need.
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