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  Agenda Item   16.    
City Council Meeting
Meeting Date: 03/07/2023  
FROM: Bill Gallardo

Subject:
Purchase of New Fire Apparatus
RECOMMENDATION
Appropriate $891,745.27 from General Fund and authorize the purchase of one (1) ladder/tiller truck for $1,988,161.75
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In 2022, the City retained Citygate Associates, LLC (Citygate) to conduct a comprehensive Standards of Response Coverage (SOC) and Community Risk Assessment (CRA) study to review current organizational conditions, analyze future service demands and service delivery options, and provide recommendations for the Fire Department (Department) to guide future decision-making for the next three to five years. The scope included a command staff assessment to model the City’s needs if it were to separate from the shared fire command partnership with the City of Fullerton. Citygate utilized multiple sources to gather, understand, and model information about the City and Department and requested a large amount of relevant background data and information to understand better current costs, service levels, history of service level decisions, and prior studies. Citygate also utilized various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Insurance Services Office (ISO) publications as best practice guidelines, along with the self-assessment criteria of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).

Following the issuance of the report, Public Works Department management staff met with Fire Department management staff to assess the current operations of Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 2 vehicles and discussed the recommended replacement.

To better understand the current asset, vehicle age/mileage, and deployment, a detailed breakdown of Fire Station 1 and Fire Station 2 was created. The recommendations for new equipment noted are from Fire management staff:

Fire Station 1:
Reserve Ladder/Tiller Truck (2007 Pierce, 105,749 miles)

Fire Station 2:
Frontline Ladder/Tiller Truck (New truck)

The current frontline truck will go on reserve status once the new frontline truck is received. With the growing number of emergency calls due to our increasing population and risk of wildland fires, replacing the one ladder/tiller truck (La France 1998) is recommended. This setup will put the City in a better position for the future needs of the Fire Department.

At the October 18, 2022, City Council meeting, the City Council authorized the purchase of three fire engines for $2,718,583.52. The cost of this new ladder truck is $1,988,161.75. An appropriation of $891,745.27 is required to cover the shortfall to purchase the new ladder truck. By prepaying and purchasing the ladder truck now, the City can save approximately $130,000. 
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Finance Committee reviewed this item at their February 28, 2023, meeting along with the updated quote with a purchase cost of $1,988,161.75, which was updated as a result of new EPA regulations regarding emission standards. Staff updated the appropriation needed and is recommended for City Council approval. The Finance Committee recommended to proceed.
FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY
As equipment prices have risen tremendously this past year, the need to purchase now is due to lengthier build times and annual cost increases. The cost of one ladder/tiller truck is $1,988,161.75. An appropriation of $891,745.27 is required to cover the shortfall. By purchasing this apparatus now and taking advantage of a prepayment discount, the City can save approximately $130,000. The fiscal impact will be to the General Fund.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by:  Rudy Correa, Equipment Superintendent
Concurrence: Michael Ho, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Attachments
Quote

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