Barrington fire district saves money on vehicles

Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District trustees recently authorized an innovative apparatus upgrade program that will allow the district to procure two front-line emergency vehicles for less than the cost of a single new engine, saving taxpayers nearly $150,000, officials said.

The plan calls for the district to modify an existing 2,000-gallon tanker to serve as an advanced life-support-equipped fast attack fire engine/pumper. The modifications will cost about $55,000.

In addition, the district will buy a new 3,000-gallon tanker to supplement its firefighting capabilities. The vehicle, expected to cost approximately $220,000, will improve the district's ability to deliver water to areas with no fire hydrants.

The district serves parts of Lake Barrington, Barrington Hills, South Barrington, Inverness and unincorporated Cook, Lake and McHenry counties.