Hardyston securing new fire command vehicle
Hardyston. Hardyston Township officials authorized a $100,000 municipal bond to purchase and outfit a new fire chief command vehicle to replace a 13-year-old model, with no expected impact on the local tax rate.
| 10 Mar 2026 | 10:24
At last month’s meeting, the Hardyston Township Council authorized a municipal bond for $100,000 to purchase a fire chief command vehicle.
“A fire command vehicle operates as the first due vehicle to an emergency call or fire scene,” said Hardyston Township Manager/Planner Carrine Piccolo-Kaufer. “The command vehicle acts as a mobile command center and fast-response unit, allowing the officer to arrive quickly – often directly from home or work – to establish incident command, direct operations and manage resources. The vehicle is equipped with lights, radios, personal protective equipment and specialized tools and equipment.”
The new command vehicle, which is expected to have a life of 10 years, will replace a 2013 Ford Explorer. Hardyston previously replaced a 2015 Ford Explorer in 2023 with a new Chevy Tahoe.
“The old command vehicle is 13 years old and has seen better days,” said Councilman Brian Kaminski. “It needs to be replaced with a new modern up to date vehicle to better protect our residents.”
Piccolo-Kaufer said the make and model of the vehicle will ultimately depend on availability through vendors authorized by the state contract or state purchasing cooperative. The estimated cost of replacement is based on the cost of purchasing and upfitting either a 2026 Chevy Tahoe or a 2026 Ford F-250.
She added it should take approximately six months for the vehicle to be purchased and upfitted for service and that the township plans to fund the ordinance as a deferred charge and will not incur bonds or notes for the cost of the vehicle.
“The cost should have no impact on the budget or the property tax rate,” Piccolo-Kaufer said.
