The Westfield Board of Public Works and Safety has approved the fire department’s request to lease/purchase two vehicles and two specialty saws for $66,812.99. Fire Chief Joseph E. Lyons said these vehicles will be replacements for vehicles which are currently in use. The fire department has developed an obsolescence strategy to minimize costs of repairs and to maximize trade in values.
“The life cycle of the Ford F250 is intended to be used as a staff vehicle for three years then moved to use as a utility vehicle in which one of its uses will be for snow removal,” Lyons said. “The life cycle for the Ford Interceptor will be used as a staff vehicle and then moved to use as a pool vehicle. The vehicles that are being replaced will be moved to use as pool vehicles and allow us to liquidate at least one of the current pool vehicles.”
Lyons said the two specialty saws are to replace ones that need to be changed due to normal wear and tear.
Costs include: 2015 Ford F-250 XL pickup truck 4WD, $29,376; 2015 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD, $26,792; Vehicle lights and siren equipment, $6,084.99; and Cutters Edge saws, $2,280 each.
Public safety reports
• The Westfield Police Dept. had 778 calls for service in November (just one more than in October) including 29 for theft (tied for the second least in 2014), 19 for assault and two for burglary. Westfield police made 48 arrests – 52 for misdemeanor charges, 18 were felony charges and 17 were alcohol or drug related. On the traffic side, WPD issued 601 citations and 835 written warnings. November had 58 traffic accidents: 39 property damage, 10 personal injury and nine hit and runs.
• The Westfield Fire Dept. responded to 218 incidents in November – the third highest of any month in 2014. Of the 218 incidents, 90 were fire related (with four building fires totaling $155,000 in estimated damages) and 128 were medical related. Officials said 174 incidents (81.3 percent) were inside city limits, 19 (6.3 percent) were inside the township and 25 (12.3 percent) were outside of Westfield assisting other agencies. As of Nov. 30, the department has responded to 2,198 calls.
