City Approves Emergency Fire Engine Repairs and Temporary Rental

Litchfield City Council Meeting | February 5, 2026

Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council authorized emergency spending to repair a fire department squad truck suffering from a blown head gasket and emission system failures. To maintain fleet capacity during the repairs, the board also approved the short-term rental of a replacement fire engine.

Fire Department Emergency Spending Key Points:

• Squad 810 Failure: The truck requires a head gasket replacement and repairs to its Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system.

• Repair Cost: The estimated total for the emergency repairs by Mid-State Fire Repair is approximately $16,598.

• Rental Solution: The city will rent a 1999 Pierce fire engine for five days at a total cost of $750.

The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, February 5, 2026, waived competitive bidding requirements to authorize emergency repairs for a key Fire Department vehicle.

Squad 810 was taken out of service after a check engine light revealed significant mechanical issues. According to council documents, the vehicle suffered a blown head gasket and a fault in the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system.

The council approved a resolution authorizing Mid-State Fire Repair to perform the work. The estimate provided to the council detailed $16,598.43 in repairs, including $3,300 for the head gasket labor and $5,000 to address the emission system components.

To ensure the department maintains adequate response capabilities while the squad is in the shop, the council approved a separate ordinance to rent a fire engine. The agreement with Mid-State Fire Repair allows the city to lease a 1999 Pierce fire engine for a five-day period at a total cost of $750.