TOWN STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
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Discuss, consider and act to approve the purchase of a new fire engine not to exceed $1.3 million dollars (Fire Chief John Ard)
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STAFF: John Ard, Fire Chief
BACKGROUND:
The department currently operates two fire engines: a 2003 model (22 years old) as a reserve engine and a 2015 model (10 years old) in frontline service. Last summer, the council approved $1.3 million in the FY24/25 budget for the replacement of the 2003 fire engine with a new, fully equipped apparatus. Since the approval, the fire department has been focused on selecting, designing, and outfitting the new engine to ensure it meets the community's needs and risks, while aligning with our deployment strategies. The build time of the new fire engine will take approximately 36 months. This time frame places the official replacement of our reserve engine at 25 years.
Please see the attached power point presented to the council in June of 2024, engine replacement justification presented to the Town Manager, and other supporting documents.
DISCUSSION:
The standard practice for fire apparatus replacement in the fire service industry follows a 10/10 model, where the apparatus serves in frontline status for 10 years and then transitions to reserve status for another 10 years with a lifecycle of 20 years. The Town's vehicle replacement policy aligns with this, stating that a fire apparatus has a total life span of 20 years. According to the 2020 Community Risk Assessment: Standard of Cover for the Westlake Fire-EMS Department, the expected life span for an engine is also 20 years. It's important to note that while age is a key factor in assessing the need for replacement, other considerations such as vehicle mileage and engine hours are also critical in determining serviceability. A common tool utilized in the industry to evaluate vehicle replacement is illustrated in the attached report " Apparatus Replacement Justification 2024". Additionally, the fire...
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