Every time a police officer responds to an emergency call, a firefighter races to a blaze, or a snowplow clears your street after a winter storm, there's an unsung team of experts making it all possible. In this fascinating conversation with Ben Willcome, Walker's Fleet Services Supervisor, we pull back the curtain on the critical but often invisible work that keeps our city vehicles running.
Ben and his three-person team maintain over 300 pieces of city equipment—"anything from a chainsaw to a platform fire truck." With remarkable versatility and technical expertise, they handle everything from routine maintenance to complex rebuilds, saving taxpayers substantial money compared to outsourced repairs. A fire truck repair that might cost $200 per hour at a specialty shop gets handled in-house by certified Emergency Vehicle Technicians. Their preventative maintenance program includes innovative approaches like applying specialized rust prevention coatings and completely rebuilding aging vehicles to extend their service life.
The conversation reveals fascinating insights about vehicle lifecycles (police cars typically serve 3 years while fire trucks may run for 30), winter preparation procedures for snowplows, and a particularly rewarding project where the team transformed an underperforming fire tanker into a high-capacity emergency response vehicle. Beyond the technical aspects, Ben shares how his childhood passion for working on vehicles with his father evolved into a fulfilling career serving the public. "We keep the city rolling," he explains, taking pride in supporting every department and participating in community events that showcase their essential role. As Walker grows and vehicle technology evolves toward autonomy and alternative fuels, Ben and his team stand ready to adapt and continue their vital mission.
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