Provincetown is selling a fire truck: Auction details and dates

PROVINCETOWN — Did you love your toy fire truck as a kid? Well, it might be time to step up and buy a real one.

Provincetown's fire department is auctioning off a 2001 Freightliner FC80 Ferrara fire engine, with proceeds going back to the department. Conducting the auction is Municibid, an "online auction marketplace for government agencies, schools, authorities and utilities to sell their surplus and forfeitures directly to the public," according to the company.

Other listings on the site include an ambulance, a popcorn maker and a 55-year-old forklift.

The Provincetown fire truck auction is now live and runs until 2:06 p.m. on Monday. A bid for $15,000 has been received, but according to the listing, the reserve price, which is hidden from bidders, has not yet been met.

Provincetown Fire Chief Michael Trovato said the acquisition of newer equipment over the years led to the fire truck auction.

"It's a really nice truck," he said. "It was custom-built to get through our narrow streets."

Trovato thinks the truck would be a welcome addition to a small-town fire department.

"It goes anywhere and still runs well," he said. "We take good care of all our stuff."

The listing also states that the truck would be "perfect for a construction business" or landscape company. It does not mention the "wicked cool to own a fire truck" category that might apply to civilians who dreamed of being firefighters as kids. But it would be wicked cool!

The fire truck has 11,925 miles on it and includes a 500-gallon water tank.

"It's seen a lot of action over the years," said Trovato. "But it's in good shape."

Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @capecast.

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