Fire engine getting new part

A Belgium fire truck scheduled to be replaced in 2028 is having a part replaced on it now.

Engine 762, which has a 1995 Pierce engine, had an issue with its pressure governor.

“This is used to regulate the water pressure when we are pumping to prevent any sudden increases or decreases in water pressure,” Fire Chief Pat Wester said.

Firefighters said the pump does not respond with pressure changes.

“Obviously, the age of the engine increases the  chances that we will have more repairs to do to it. It’s not a faulty part, but it’s difficult to say at what age of the apparatus this could have happened,” Wester said. 

The Village and Town of Belgium, which contracts with the Belgium Fire Department, which is a private company, agreed to pay to fix the engine.

Belgium Village Clerk Theresa Bartley said if the department exceeds its 2026 budget, the village will pay 47% of the extra cost and the town will pay 53%. That split is determined by equalized property value.

Bartley said the village’s cost is capped at $6,110 and the town’s cost is capped at $6,890.

The engine is being fixed by Reliant Fire Apparatus of Slinger.