City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  July 5, 2005

Item No.:  5    

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the purchase of a Pierce Quantum fire engine and a MedTec Ambulance as a combination purchase.  The engine price is $390,000 and the ambulance price is $121,815. 

Background:  The two most recent fire engines purchased by the department have been Pierce Quantums.  These vehicles have exceeded the expectations of the fire department in their overall ability, especially in the areas of reliability and safety.

The Pirsch Company is no longer in business and replacement parts for unit 1862 and its Ford chassis (which is out of production) are becoming increasingly difficult to find.  The old vehicle has “open air” seating in the jump seat vs. enclosed seating in the new unit.  Pierce Manufacturing has been building fire apparatus since the early “forties” giving them over 60 years of experience in the fire apparatus market.  Pierce has set the pace for quality units with many options not available from other fire apparatus companies.  Some of these options are, the Quantum custom chassis developed exclusively for the fire service, and the Oshkosh Truck TAK-4TM front independent suspension providing shorter braking distance, smoother ride, and longer brake life.  Their warranty program is excellent with the engine and transmission covered for 5 years and cab structural for 10 years.  Pierce is located in Wisconsin so service issues are simplified compared to an out of state manufacturer.

Purchasing the engine now will avoid the manufacturer’s scheduled price increase on July 31 (a $10,000 increase). The existing unit (1862) will be sold at auction after the delivery of the new fire engine. The initial discounted price for the vehicle was $397,000.  Reliant Fire Apparatus and Pierce Manufacturing have combined to reduce the price by $7,000 to $390,000 because of our purchasing history with Pierce.  The vehicle will be paid for in two installments, one during construction and one at delivery.  The second payment will be part of the 2006 CIP by Council decisions during the 2005 budget.  The new unit will have increased compartment space, electric generator driven by the main engine, better scene lighting, and Class A foam delivery to all pre-connected lines.  The loose equipment on the engine, fire hose, breathing apparatus, nozzles, etc. will be transferred from the unit being replaced.

The ambulance will replace Ambulance 1885 a 1990 Ford/Collins.  This unit is experiencing frequent maintenance issues due to its age and mileage.  We have not been satisfied with the ride quality of the medium duty chassis ambulances.  We are moving to a vehicle whose capacity is between the 350 Fords and the medium duties.  We believe that the 450 Ford will be the proper choice for our needs.

The 450 has a higher payload and stronger transmission than the 350.  Our unit 1883 is on a 450 chassis and it has proven reliable with good ride quality in the patient compartment.

The price of both the engine and the ambulance have been reduced by $3,000 as a combined purchase.  Pierce Manufacturing and Med Tec ambulance share common ownership which is the reason for the combined purchase discount.

Both units will have additional expenditures for ancillary equipment, such as the mobile radios to contact dispatch, the ambulance stretcher, and line changes during construction.  The total of these items will remain within the approved CIP amounts.

Fiscal Impact:  Sufficient funds for the ambulance purchase have been approved in the 2005 CIP Account #05010 and the engine in the 2005-2006 CIP Account #05010.

Prepared by:

Gerard R. Hammernik

Fire Chief

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk