The vintage chairs were packed at Monday’s meeting of Warren City Council. Much of the audience was made up of members of the city fire department — there, presumably, to offer support for a request for more than $1 million worth of new equipment.

The firemen didn’t have to speak. Council listened to a proposed purchase and then gave it unanimous approval.

Steven Hoffman, the department’s operations training officer, told council the department had researched the most cost-effective way to replace aging equipment in order to “maintain a safe level of service.”

He told council that the current 1997 aerial truck has been in service for 23 years. The truck has had an increasing amount of maintenance issues, according to Hoffman.

The 1992 engine truck has been in service for 28 years. “Both have far exceeded the 15-year life expectancy,” he said.

Hoffman then proposed replacing both trucks at the same time would result in cost savings. Both an aerial truck and engine could be purchased for $1,400,000 through the Pennsylvania COSTARS program, he said.

At a Nov. 5 meeting, Fire Chief Rodney Wren estimated a cost of about $1.5 million.

With council approval, an aerial truck would be delivered in 90 to 120 days. Hoffman explained that the company would supply a loaner until the arrival of the new truck. The engine truck takes a bit longer, with the time frame for arrival estimated at 395 days.