ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 9, 1996
Dept. File: Tridata 3
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Assistant Chief - Support Services,
Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services
SUBJECT: Purchase of Fire Apparatus
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the purchase of six Quints" (75-foot aerial
ladder trucks) for Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services at an
estimated cost of $3.8 million; source of funds to be existing
apparatus budgets ($2,349,235) and the Plant Account (1,450,672).
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services RECOMMENDS
approval of the forgoing. The Fire Service has delayed the
purchase of apparatus identified for replacement during the last
three years, pending the completion of the TriData study. While a
complete report on a new replacement schedule has not yet been
completed, several apparatus normally scheduled for replacement
have remained in service beyond their recommended life-cycles and
are in urgent need of replacement.
COUNCIL POLICY
On April 14, 1994, Council approved a package of Fire & Rescue
Services budget adjustments to meet the requirements of the
1994-1996 Budget Management Program. The Fire Chief was directed
to report back in one year on whether to implement a proposed
reduction of one piece of fire apparatus (replace a ladder and
pumper truck at #21 Fire Hall with a combination piece of
equipment), or to achieve the same or greater savings through a
comprehensive re-deployment of firefighters and equipment.
On April 11, 1996, Council endorsed, in principle, a Fire &
Rescue Services apparatus and staff re-deployment proposal as
outlined in Option Six of the TriData study.
As part of the approval process for the 1996 Operating Budget,
Council agreed that, beginning in 1996, Fire department apparatus
should be replaced utilizing the Plant Account and that equipment
rental rates for the equipment would be added to the operating
budget as the equipment came into service.
Council approval is required for equipment purchases funded from
the Plant Account.
PURPOSE
This report recommends Council approve the purchase of six
Quints" for the Fire department. This purchase is consistent
with apparatus identified in the Tridata report, option six.
BACKGROUND
As part of the Budget Management Program, Vancouver Fire & Rescue
Services (Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services) committed to
providing annual operating budget savings of $1,388,000 through a
number of initiatives, including changes to apparatus
specifications, apparatus mix, and apparatus staffing.
On July 5, 1995, Council authorized a contract with TriData for
consulting services for a comprehensive review of fire hall
locations, the deployment of emergency apparatus and staff, and
the City s insurance rating for commercial fire protection.
Pending the outcome of this study, the purchase of any apparatus
was delayed with the exception of what was deemed to be critical
for operation of the Department.
On April 25, 1996, Council approved in principle the Vancouver
Fire & Rescue Services apparatus and staff re-deployment proposal
as outlined in option six of the Tridata study. The General
Manager of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services was also instructed
to bring back to Council a detailed implementation plan.
DISCUSSION
It is the Department s intention to deal with information
generated by the Tridata study in four phases: analysis,
planning, implementation and evaluation. The Department is
currently involved in the analysis phase. It is anticipated that
a report to Council with recommendations generated from the study
will be forwarded to Council for consideration, early in 1997.
While it is important to consider the implementation of the
TriData recommendations in a systematic way, there is a need to
continue with the replacement of fire apparatus. Replacement has
been suspended since 1994 to ensure that any replacements were
compatible with the recommendations of the study. One of the
difficulties in the acquisition of fire apparatus is the time
between the decision to order and the actual delivery which can
extend to 18 and 24 months. This delay makes it important to
start the process as soon as possible considering that some of
the apparatus has been on hold for almost three years and is now
past its normal service life.
Option Six of the TriData study has identified "Quints" as the
primary piece of apparatus for the Department. A "Quint"
combines the functions of an Engine and a Ladder into a single
piece of equipment. The Department recommends Council s approval
to begin the purchase program for this equipment to replace both
engines and ladders that are due for replacement. Funding is
available from the Operating accounts for the replacements
scheduled in 1994 and 1995 and from the Plant Account for the
1996 replacement program.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
At this time, there are no personnel implications. This report
is concerned with the purchase of apparatus to replace existing
apparatus. In the future there will be a report to Council on
recommended action based on the TriData Study. This report will
identify any personnel implications.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The estimated cost of a "Quint" with a 75 ft. aerial ladder is
approximately $620,000, although the actual price is not
available until the completion of the tender process. The
estimated cost for six "Quints" will be $3,800,000, with the
actual cost to be reported at the time Council awards the
contract.
Funding is available from the 1994 and 1995 replacement programs
($2,349,245) with the balance ($1,450672) provided from the Plant
Account as approved by Council in the 1996 Operating Budget.
Purchasing equipment from the Plant Account will result in rental
rates, which provide for future scheduled replacement, being
added to the Operating Budget at the time the equipment comes
into service. These costs are estimated at $264,000 annually.
CONCLUSION
In order to maintain effective and efficient service to the
citizens of Vancouver it is necessary for Vancouver Fire & Rescue
Services to proceed with the purchase of new apparatus to replace
existing apparatus that has reached the end of its life-cycle.
While the exact apparatus mix and its deployment is still under
consideration, the TriData study Option six has identified there
will be up to 19 Quints in service. The purchase of the six
Quints is consistent with the study and allows the Department the
flexibility to substitute Quints for Engines and Ladders
currently due for replacment.
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