Monday, February 17, 2025, 4:22AM |  27°
MENU
Advertisement
A drawing showing what the fireboat will look like.
1
MORE

Pittsburgh accepts $542,750 bid from Wisconsin firm to build fireboat

City of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh accepts $542,750 bid from Wisconsin firm to build fireboat

The City of Pittsburgh has accepted a proposal from a Wisconsin company to build a fireboat for more than a half-million dollars — significantly higher than the $400,000 previously allocated.

Lake Assault Boats of Superior, Wis. beat out two contenders with a bid of $542,750, the city announced today.

The proposed 30-foot boat, meant to fight fires along Pittsburgh’s three rivers, would be decked out with sonar, “forward-looking infrared cameras” and a state-of-the-art electronic suite. It would be able to pump 3,000 gallons of water per minute and supply water to on-shore operations.

Advertisement

The bid was accepted by the Public Safety Department and Bureau of Fire.

Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker in the 1993 movie
Brian O'Neill
Brian O'Neill: That $400,000 city fireboat serves a fluid population

A final review by the city is necessary before the project goes forward. 

The city last had a fireboat — and an inactive one at that — in 1973. 

In April the city’s Equipment Leasing Authority unanimously voted to allow the purchase of a fireboat for $400,000. The move was prompted by concerns about train derailments, toxic spills and blazes along the rivers.

Advertisement

The authority acquires, maintains, repairs and replaces the city’s vehicles.

At the time, Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich told the authority that the watercraft would help manage fires on waterways, waterfronts, rail lines and at marinas that are inaccessible from land.

Jonathan D. Silver: jsilver@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1962 or on Twitter @jsilverpg.

First Published: December 16, 2016, 4:59 p.m.

RELATED
Lexi Belculfine
City wants to buy fireboat for riverfront safety
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
In this March 1933, file photo, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his first radio "fireside chat" in Washington.
1
opinion
David M. Shribman: Is Donald Trump another Washington, Roosevelt, Trump?
Citing the substance's risks, the FDA in late 2023 issued a public safety alert warning that consumers "should not purchase or use any Neptune’s Fix products, or any other product with tianeptine."
2
news
‘Gas station heroin’ arises as a new threat
Novo Asian Food Hall on Thursday May 23, 2024, Strip District.  (John Colombo/For the Post-Gazette)
3
news
Legal battle stirs the pot at Novo Asian Food Hall
Shoppers walk into Salem’s Market on Centre Avenue in the Hill District Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. Sunday was the final day for the Hill District location.
4
business
On the last day of Salem's Market in the Hill District before its temporary closure, Pittsburghers reflect
Elizabeth Sagan Quinlin
5
news
Dr. Elizabeth Sagan Quinlin, trailblazing surgeon in female urology, dies at 71
A drawing showing what the fireboat will look like.  (City of Pittsburgh)
City of Pittsburgh
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story