By Neil Sjostrom
For Firehouse.com

Is your fire department struggling to get rid of old equipment that is taking up valuable space in your fire stations? Perhaps you are struggling with having available funds to buy the needed equipment for your firefighters to get the job done? There is a unique opportunity to meet both of these needs, the highly successful auction-style website eBay.

I have found a great deal of success in selling used equipment for my department. The items I have sold have ranged from an old aerial apparatus to the smallest of flashlights.

Not only is this a great way for a fire department to generate extra revenue for its operations, but it provides a way for equipment to continue being used for its intended purpose, protecting lives and property.

Below you will find a few tips to help make the process easier for you and your agency. While I have found the particular process and vendors used to be effective, this article is not an endorsement of any product or service provided.

Creating An Account & Preparing Sales Materials

If you have never sold on eBay before, there are a couple of steps you will need to take, including setting up an account with eBay. After you have established your eBay account, you will need to decide how you will accept payment for items that are sold. Check with your agencies finance department to assure you are operating within established procedures and any applicable laws. For illustration purposes we will assume you are using an account similar to paypal.com.

Read the full article on Firehouse.com.