City to buy smaller vehicles for GRFD

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids firefighters may soon fight fires with smaller trucks.

City commissioners approved a nearly $900,000 plan Tuesday morning to purchase three quick response vehicles (QRV).

The smaller vehicles are meant to save wear-and-tear on larger pumper trucks that cost upwards of half a million dollars each.

The QRVs use a compressed air foam system as opposed to pouring large volumes of water that larger rigs use.

The units, which can be staffed by fewer firefighters, would be used for smaller fires, medical calls and accidents.

While the smaller trucks save money they have also created controversy, especially in larger departments, about their ability to handle large fires with smaller crews and firefighting capabilities.