This request is for the refurbishment of three of the City Fire Department’s wildland firefighting brush trucks. These trucks are used extensively during the fire season not only to fight fires in the local area but also go to other locations in the western United States under the mutual aid agreement. Vehicle #383B and #389B are both 14 years old while vehicle #343385 is 12 years old and all are approaching the end of their life cycle.  $375,000 was budgeted in the FY 2020 fire apparatus replacement plan for the replacement of one of these trucks. During discussions between Fleet and the Fire Department it has been agreed that it would be a better use of taxpayer funds to refurbish all three trucks.

These three fire apparatus shall be refurbished to the Level II standards of the NFPA 1912 Standard for Fire Apparatus Refurbishing Current Edition.

The City Garage and the Fire Department worked together to determine the extent of refurbishment required to extend the life of these apparatus for an additional ten years. The engine, transmission and drivetrain are found to be in excellent condition. The extent of the work includes changing all fluids with oil sampling and analysis, all hoses and wear parts will be replaced, the frame will be inspected and refinished, all electrical will be inspected and re shielded, the fire pump and all valves will be rebuilt or replaces, the entire lighting system will be upgraded to LED, and the foam and water tank gauges will be upgraded to high visibility indicators.

The cost to replace a wildland firefighting brush truck is in the area of $400,000, and can take up to two years to build, a refurbishment takes three to six months and can be ready for the next fire season.

The Fire Department did extensive research on fire truck refurbishing companies and decided that Firetrucks Unlimited in Henderson, Nevada met our criteria to provide the service of refurbishing the three trucks to the City.

In sourcing this service, if approved, the City would be using the joinder provision allowed under NRS 332.195, and purchasing this service utilizing an existing bid from Unified Fire Authority #UFA 14-110. United Fire Authority is the Fire Department that serves the Greater Salt Lake City area. Utilizing the “joinder” provision allows the City to precisely define the service needed while foregoing the need to formally bid the item.

The $323,703.00 expenditure will allow Equipment Services to purchase this service from an appropriate and reputable company that provides this specialized service as needed for our Fire Department to continue to provide wildland fire fighting into the future.

1. Council could approve this purchase as outlined by staff.
2. Council could deny this purchase and provide direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve the expenditure of $323,703 to provide parts and labor to refurbish three of the Fire Department’s brush trucks at Firetrucks Unlimited utilizing a joinder bid from Unified Fire Authority Contract #UFA 14-110.