Mokena Fire District Approves $114,000 Overhaul for Ailing Fire Truck

Mokena Fire Protection District Meeting | September 2025

Article Summary: The Mokena Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has approved a $114,000 plan for a complete mechanical update and corrosion repair on a key fire truck that has been sidelined with significant issues. The decision comes as another front-line engine also remains out of service for a newly discovered, costly repair.

Fire Apparatus Maintenance Key Points:

• The board approved spending up to $120,000 for a $114,000 project to repair Truck 92, a Pierce fire apparatus.

• The approved plan includes a complete mechanical update and corrosion repairs, chosen over a less expensive, temporary fix and a more costly full refurbishment.

• Engine 92 is also out of service, requiring an estimated $8,500 to rebuild its pump transfer case, just one month after undergoing a different pump-related repair.

• The district is currently using a loaner engine from the New Lenox Fire Protection District to maintain service levels.

The Mokena Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, approved a major $114,000 overhaul for one of its primary fire trucks, confronting the significant costs of maintaining its aging fleet.

After a thorough inspection of Truck 92 by Chandler Services, the board was presented with three repair options. The truck was initially sidelined last month due to coolant consumption issues, which were later identified as stemming from a cracked cylinder head. The full inspection revealed more extensive mechanical and corrosion problems.

The options ranged from a $40,000 basic repair to get the truck back in service, to a comprehensive $200,000 refurbishment that would add an estimated eight years to its service life. The board opted for the middle path, approving a motion by Trustee Craig Warning to authorize a complete mechanical update for $105,000 and corrosion repairs for $9,500, for a total of $114,000. The motion, which passed unanimously, capped the expenditure at $120,000 to account for any unforeseen costs.

The district’s fleet challenges were further highlighted in Deputy Chief Rick Campbell’s report, which detailed new problems with Engine 92. The engine, which had its pump shift actuator replaced last month, now requires its pump transfer case to be rebuilt at an approximate cost of $8,500. Campbell reported the engine is scheduled to be back in service by the end of the week. In the meantime, the district is relying on a loaner engine from the New Lenox Fire Protection District to fill the gap in its response capabilities.

These ongoing repairs underscore the financial commitment required to ensure the district’s emergency vehicles are reliable and safe. The board’s decision to invest heavily in Truck 92 reflects a long-term strategy to extend the life of its critical assets rather than opting for a temporary solution.