Firefighters save taxpayer money by performing their own routine vehicle maintenance

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. (KIEM)-Fire fighters at the Mckinleyville Fire Station do regular service on their rescue vehicles, to keep expenses to a minimum.

Not only does the work save tax payers between $5,000 TO $9,000 each month on maintenance costs, it also serves another purpose, according to Arcata Fire Districts Chief Justin McDonald. 

“Were changing our own oil it comes at a cost of the firefighters, that are working on the rigs but you know, they get to know their equipment that makes for a better fire fighter, understanding better how the  fire engine works,” he said. “Just to put in to perspective, if we were to take out an engine out to a big rig shop to have all the oil and lube done it would be close to $3,500.”

McDonald says fire fighters perform routine maintenance of their vehicles which ranged from oil changes to replacing lights, but when it comes to major repairs beyond their scope the job is outsourced. 

According to McDonald, their fire district doesn’t have a mechanic on staff nor do they have an affiliated mechanic shop.

“As a district we’d be interested in partnering up with other agencies,” he said. “Funding is limited, and with COVID they may be cutting back. So if we can help support government entity or shop that would be a good thing for us.”