CRANBERRY TWP — Over the course of the next year, the township volunteer fire department will replace a portion of its truck fleet at a fraction of the cost.

During a meeting of township supervisors Thursday, the board voted to approve the purchase of two fire pumper trucks and one aerial tower ladder from Pierce Manufactured Glick Fire Equipment Co. Inc. for $2.387 million.

However, the actual cost will be $1.394 million after the department trades in two existing pumpers and two aerial ladders.

According to Dave Gallagher, fire and emergency services chief, the new ladder truck will have all the capabilities of the former two trucks.

Additionally, the outgoing pumper trucks are near the end of their life cycle; one is from 1997 and the other from 2003. Gallagher said trading in the 2003 truck earlier allowed for additional value to be gained.

After approving the purchase Thursday, supervisors commended the department staff and volunteers for seeking ways to keep costs down, and also for maintaining the existing equipment so well. That, they said, allowed for a greater return on the investment.

“Even more so, what you guys do to maintain that value ... you keep that equipment, you protect it, you use it well, you get your money back when you protect it,” said Supervisor Mike Manipole.

Supervisor Chairman Dick Hadley agreed, adding he believed continued investment would follow those same guidelines.

“While it is a big number, it makes a lot of sense, too, and we understand that and gladly approve this,” he said.

Gallagher said the department has a “great” preventive maintenance program in place which has added to the life span of equipment and vehicles.

The new pumper trucks will take about eight months to build and are expected to arrive in July, while the new ladder truck will arrive in January 2020. Gallagher said the department will keep the old trucks for a time to ensure there is no lapse in coverage.