FREEPORT — The Freeport Volunteer Fire Department is defending its recent purchase of a new fire engine, citing the condition of the old one.

“It’s broken down more than it’s running,” said Fire Chief Jeff Weaver.

Weaver said the current 2000 truck, which was bought used a couple years ago for $65,000, temporarily died a year ago while the department was responding to a car fire.

He said the truck now has computer issues hindering its performance.

Weaver said the department cannot afford to have an engine fail during an emergency.

“We have lives on the line,” he said.

The department used a $500,000 donation from a person who did not want to be identified to buy the $366,000 Spartan truck from 1st Out Specialty Vehicles in Moon Township, Allegheny County.

According to Weaver, repairs to keep the fire engine on the road would be costly.

Mayor Jim Swartz said he was unaware of any problems with the fire engine.

“They don’t come to us,” Swartz said about the fire department.

Swartz said the department had no business buying the truck without notifying the borough.

“They came to Freeport council after the fact,” Swartz said.

Weaver said the department had to act quickly to save $4,000 by paying the total amount up front.

“To us, $4,000 is a lot of money,” he said. “We had to jump on it.”

Swartz said the department took a risk paying the total cost up front.

“If the truck doesn’t come off the assembly line, they lose $366,000,” he said.

Weaver said the mayor and council are unjustly criticizing the department.

“They make us feel like we committed a crime,” he said.