Park Ridge finalizes sale of firefighting fleet

By Brandi Makuski

The firefighting fleet of Park Ridge is now scattered across Portage County.

In one of the last steps in finalizing the dissolution of the Park Ridge Fire Department, village trustees this month approved the sale of its three fire vehicles. All that’s left, according to Village President Steve Menzel, is passing a resolution affirming the closure and cleaning up some language in the village ordinances.

Menzel oversaw the opening of the bids at Village Hall on the morning of Aug. 8. Two days later, trustees approved selling its 1993 International engine to the town of Dewey for $5,001.01. The other two vehicles were sold to private parties; the 1980 Chevrolet engine went to Jb Moody, of Carson, for $1,267, and the PRFD squad, a 1974 International, was sold to Lars Larson of Rudolph.

Moody, fire chief of Stevens Point, and Larson, who is a firefighter in Rudolph, said they each purchased their respective vehicles for personal use.

Park Ridge effectively closed its fire department when Trustees unceremoniously “suspended” the PRFD effective July 1, 2022. The village is now served by the Stevens Point Fire Department.

The village sold most of the firefighters’ gear to other local departments but decided to liquidate its fire vehicles by sending out a public notice for bid submissions instead of posting the items for sale on Wisconsin Surplus.

Dewey Fire Chief Brian Lepper in July suggested that town trustees consider putting in a bid for the used engine. Dewey’s engine, a 1984 Ford, is “a reliable and dependable vehicle,” Lepper said, but the vehicle has a smaller pump capable of 750 gallons per minute.

The newer used engine can pump 1,250 gallons per minute and comes with an automatic transmission. The town’s Ford has a standard five-speed transmission, which presents challenges for younger firefighters, Lepper said.

Menzel said the revenue from the sale of the vehicles will go into the village’s general fund. He did not immediately know how the village would use its former fire engine bay.