By Tony Cantú
Contributing Writer

Their concerns about liability mollified, Olmos Park City Council voted to allow Alamo Heights to use their fire engine if needed while their sister city finalizes a deal to sell its only backup engine.

During their March 27 meeting, Olmos Park City Council members unanimously voted to allow the fire department to loan the truck out should the need arise. Alamo Heights interim Fire Chief William Woodward first floated the idea during his city’s March 10 meeting, saying the step would give the city access to a backup in the event of a major fire.

Alamo Heights is unloading its aging backup engine – a 20-year-old truck that faces expiration of its insurance rating – to the city of Nueva Rosita, Mexico, for $20,000. The city would be left with just one truck once the sale is closed, although it is expected to take delivery later this year on an $875,000, state-of-the-art engine that was previously cleared for purchase by the Alamo Heights City Council.

Olmos Park Councilman Ron Tefteller assured his fellow council members that the city would not be at risk under the arrangement. What’s more, he said Alamo Heights has agreed to put Olmos Park on its insurance policy to protect the city from liability.

In a recent interview, Woodward said officials from Nueva Rosita – who have purchased a couple of municipal garbage trucks in the past – inquired as to the availability of the backup engine. Although aging by insurance standards, the truck has many years of life left on it, he said.

“This truck will give them another 10 years of service if they take care of it,” he said. “And for $20,000, it’s a good deal for them, because it’s still a functional fire engine,” he said of the backup which costs about $450,000 brand new.

Woodward noted a measure of gratification in being able to provide equipment to Nueva Rosita, a town that is rebuilding after a mining tragedy there that claimed 65 lives.

“To have the breadwinners of 65 families dying was very sad,” he said. “The brother of the mayor was who I contacted, and according to him, the city has made progress.”