You buy a new car and as a part of the deal you are promised guaranteed trade-in money at the end of 7 years. It's not a lease. You really own the car, but you know exactly what you will get back in 7 years.
This sounds like a fantasy. Well, maybe it is in the automobile industry — but in the used fire truck market, it can be a reality.
Over the last few years Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus has launched a unique program that is helping Fire Departments make informed budget decisions on when and how to replace their fleet. The program is called Buy-Back. You can read about the basics of a Buy-Back program here, and for more details you can contact our purchasing team directly at purchasing@firetruckmall.com.
Englewood, Florida is a Fire Department that has entered into an agreement with Brindlee Mountain to buy back a portion of their used fire truck fleet — all at 7 years from the time they were delivered new to the department.
We recently asked Fire Chief Kevin Easton of Englewood Fire a few questions about how they decided to engage in a buy-back program with Brindlee Mountain.
How did you first hear of the concept of using a "buy-back" for your fleet replacement?
I was introduced to this concept by my salesman from South Florida Emergency Vehicles, Clark Green.
What made you decide to research, then select the buy-back program for your fleet?
My organization did not have a clearly defined vehicle replacement program. As a new Fire Chief, I was looking for new and innovative ways to implement a replacement program that would fit within the fiscal confines of the organization.
How has the buy-back changed the way you approach fleet replacement?
We now have an identified and established vehicle replacement program that will turn our fleet of apparatus over on a 7 year cycle.
What was the thing that "put it over the edge" for you to move forward?
We were extremely pleased with the buy-back amounts we were presented. The ability to replace a unit every 7 years was desirable from many aspects.
What would you say to a department who has not investigated getting a buy-back quote for their new fire truck purchases?
Many departments have a vehicle replacement program that consists of an apparatus running a certain number of years as a front line unit and then spending several more years as a reserve. Our organization operated on this philosophy — the problem is that once they have reached their "end of life," the re-sell value is minimal. This system allows us to use the vehicle frontline for 7 years and then replace it while the re-sell value is significant.
What would you say to a department who is on the fence about the decision about whether to use the program?
Call me! Let me share our experience.
What in the process could have gone smoother?
I was very pleased with the entire process. I can't think of anything that would need to change.
At its core, Brindlee Mountain is here to help fire departments serve their communities — operating the best fire apparatus within budget boundaries. If you would like to know how a buy-back program might meet the needs of your community, let us know.
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