PORTAGE | If you see a military-style rig or two tooling around city streets, don't worry. It's not an invasion or convoy.

It's likely one of the four new, gently used vehicles the city picked up for free from the U.S. military's Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service program earlier this year.

The city acquired two six-wheel drive, 5-ton dump trucks, a six-wheel drive, 5-ton wrecker with an 18-foot telescoping boom and a four-wheel drive articulated scoop loader.

Ted Uzelac Jr., a city councilman and Portage police officer, led the effort to secure the vehicles.

The program, said Uzelac, allows police departments to use surplus military equipment for day-to-day operations. It isn't the first time the city obtained used military equipment. The city obtained some vehicles in the 1990s when Officer Jerry York was in charge of the program.

"When he retired I was introduced to it," said Uzelac, who says he's on the DRMS Web site on a daily basis looking for anything the city could use.

Officially, the vehicles are owned by the Police Department. But until they're used for an emergency, such as a mass evacuation or the need to move heavy barriers or tons of debris, the street department is housing, maintaining and using the equipment.

"We get it for a specific purpose, but we are allowed to utilize it for day-to-day activities," said Uzelac, adding that having the equipment at the ready within city limits helps with preparedness in case there is an emergency.

Uzelac said it also helps the city's budget in obtaining the used equipment. He estimated the value of the four pieces, if purchased new, at $250,000.

"The people's tax dollars have already paid for these vehicles. The military is constantly updating equipment. As they are updating, they have to do something with the old equipment," he said, adding it is only wise for the city to take advantage of the program.

Uzelac said he spotted the four pieces of equipment on the DRMS Web site and received department approval to apply to receive the equipment. Once he received the approval, the equipment, which was at Stout Field in Indianapolis, was picked up by city personnel.