City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  February 5, 2008

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the purchase of a combination engine and medium-duty rescue vehicle from Pierce Manufacturing, including the associated equipment, for the amount of $550,000.

Background:  During a fire pump test in November 2006 leading up to an Insurance Services Office (ISO) review of the Fire Department, our hired testing company discovered serious chassis damage in two of our engines during a pre-test inspection.  The frame rails of both vehicles had over 30% rust penetration and the frame rails had begun to delaminate.

The testing company recommended taking the vehicles out of service immediately.  The Fire Department had the vehicles sent to a truck frame specialist and they recommended that the frame rails be replaced.  We further consulted Ford Motor Company engineers providing the same recommendation as the frame specialist.  The Fire Department cost estimate of the availability of new frame rails and the return on investment proved that it would be more cost-effective to replace these engines with new equipment.

With the loss of two of our original five engines, a 40% loss of our fire suppression pumping capacity was suffered.  As a result, the Fire Department has asked for more assistance from our mutual aid partners while providing less.  At multiple times, we have had to press our single ladder truck into service as an engine.  This has created operational challenges because of the limited on-board water and firefighting foam supply and the reduced pre-connected handlines, creating delays in suppression activities.

After an exhaustive internal needs study, the Fire Department has selected a medium-duty rescue engine that would not only fill the pumping capacity loss, but it would fill the growing technical rescue needs of the City.  With the challenges posed by high-speed roads, commercial development, and the Elm Road Generating Station, the Fire Department has experienced a need for the emerging technical rescue demands.  This vehicle fills the roll of both the engine replacement and our current rescue demands.

Pierce Manufacturing was selected for their industry-leading experience, their engineering and construction quality, and the familiarity of equipment by the Fire Department and mechanical personnel.  Pierce provides excellent warranty coverage and the company resides in Wisconsin.

Fiscal Impact:  The funds for the purchase of this vehicle were approved during the budget review.  The amount of $550,000 will be from CIP #08010.  These funds will be transferred from the We Energies Mitigation Fund #19.

Prepared and approved by: Brian M. Satula Fire Chief	Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk