Mayor Melvin Carter and Fire Chief Butch Inks announced on March 15 that the Saint Paul Fire Department is purchasing the state’s first fully electric fire truck.
The Fire Department received demonstrations of the RTX electric fire truck from Austrian-based designer and manufacturer Rosenbauer last year and again this January. Members of the department’s training division, apparatus selection committee, and vehicle maintenance personnel were impressed with the maneuverability, safety features, and functionality of the vehicle.
“I was blown away by its overall performance and how quiet the rig is,” Inks said. “Communication on fire scenes is important and can be extremely difficult, especially when six or seven loud diesel engines are operating in high idle.”
The city is seeking federal funding to support the purchase of the approximately $1.8 million vehicle. Officials said the investment is in alignment with the city’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan. That plan focuses on achieving carbon neutrality in city operations by 2030 and citywide by 2050.
Rosenbauer has begun the process of building the truck. Final assembly is to be completed at its facility in Wyoming, Minnesota. Delivery is anticipated by 2025. That is expected to coincide with completion of a new Fire Station 7 on the city’s East Side.
— John Wadell
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