Stafford fire and rescue’s surplus equipment attracts nationwide attention

The Stafford County Fire & Rescue Department is selling surplus vehicles and equipment used by the department online to people across the country.

According to Mark Doyle, the Assistant Chief of the department, there’s a mixture of items in various conditions.

“The [items] we’re selling are surplus that we’ve taken out of service – some of it has been out of service for some time,” said Doyle, continuing, “Two of the units that are currently on the auction were just taken out of service, because we’re replacing them with new units.”

Some of the units are being sold because they are no longer serviceable and are being sold for parts.

Among the currently listed items, there are several ambulances, as well as a 1991 Grumman Fire pump truck.

None of the items have a minimum bid, and will go for whatever the highest offered bid is, said Doyle.

The surplus auctions are a standard practice for Stafford County departments, as a way to recoup some of the costs for older equipment and vehicles.

Doyle recalled some interesting anecdotes about people from all over the country reaching out to the department, with an interest in bidding on the surplus items.

“It’s surprising, the number of people that have contacted us, and planning to come visit [to see the items]. We sold some fire equipment, and the person that bought it is in Washington State, and he’s flying in next week to pick it up. And we have a gentleman that’s going to drive up from Florida…to look at one of the medic vans we have on the auction site, and his intent is to turn it into some type of recreational vehicle,” Doyle commented.

After the fire and rescue department has sold the current lot of items, Doyle plans to list more items for sale.

Bids can be made for the items on the Public Surplus website.