Apparatus Replacement An analysis of the RVFD Fleet to reduce Risk and Financial Liability Submitted by: Fire Chief Armstrong Working Document ver. 4.18.17 Apparatus repairs and the associated cost have been a concern in Rio Vista for a number of years. The mission and size of the fleet has fluctuated over the years with different leadership and new ideas. For most of the recent years, the City has had a ladder truck that ranged from a Tele-Squirt to the current ladder truck that is a 90ft platform aerial. Apparatus purchases have not followed a standard process or specification. As a result, we now have (9) vehicles in the Fire Department fleet with only 3 full time firefighters on per day and less than (5) Volunteer Firefighters trained to drive. There is a need for an apparatus mission, replacement plan and response model that supports both. As the City grows, and there is exploration of a second Fire Station, this plan becomes even more vital to determine if we will need additional apparatus for that station or if we can support it with the current fleet. Maintaining a fleet that is too large can place the City at financial risk. However, reducing the fleet size may negatively impact service delivery to Rio Vista and the Delta Fire District unless thoroughly studied. Through this comprehensive analysis I seek to provide recommendations for replacement and resizing of the fleet; and have listed all current repair needs. While new apparatus cost more, used apparatus can negatively impact the budget with costly repairs. Older apparatus can also fail at an incidents and impact service delivery. As apparatus reaches the 15-20 year age, parts can be harder to locate and purchase. Taking into consideration moderate use, repairs, age mileage and firefighter safety; NFPA has developed standards for apparatus replacement. Apparatus are classified as front-line or reserve status. NFPA 1911 (Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Automotive Fire Apparatus) addresses the retirement, repair and/or refurb of Fire Apparatus. Based on use and daily staffing, some may considered the only front-line apparatus to be Engine 55; however, it is vital to our mission to also have a front-line Wildland Apparatus. Refurbishing (Refurb) of older equipment can address some of the reliability concerns and maintenance issues, but fail to address parts availability. Refurbs have differing levels and not all of them are cost effective. An example of this is seen when an Engine is refurbed for a cost of $350,000 when a new Engine can be purchased for just over $400,000. This document will attempt to create a mission for the RVFD fleet while making recommendations to replace and downsize the fleet.
Apparatus Year Make/Model Mileage Recommended Replacement Est Replacement costs Engine 55 2007 Peirce 74933 2018 $600,000 Engine 255 2001 HME 62068 Engine 55 to become reserve Surplus or keep E255 Engine 355 1998 IH 4900 International 20157 Surplus - Design an apparatus for vegetation to replace B55 and E355 $280,000 Truck 55 1998 E-One 42290 Nothing recommended $1,250,000 Or $750,000 for a quint (new) Water Tender 55 2002 Sterling 10611 N/A evaluate regional needs Rescue 55 1998 Ford Super duty 22249 N/A surplus or Vol. support Brush 55 2001 Ford F550 16650 Explore replacement with Delta $160,000 U55 2008 Ford Expedition 93957 2019 $40,000 C255 2007 Mercury 47408 N/A nothing recommended N/A C55 2015 Chevy 2500HD 1769 2022 $45,000 Front-Line E-55 2007 Pierce Type 1 ID# 0780 (Front-line) Specs: 75k miles 2 stage 1,500 GPM pump 750 gal water 20 gal class A foam Engine 60 Series Detroit Diesel GVWR 43k lbs Seats 6 LP# 1250780 on board generator Needed Repairs: AC - Blower motor This apparatus serves as the first-out Engine and is staffed daily. It is 10 years old and due for replacement and a move to reserve status. E-255 2001 HME Type 1 ID# 9246 (Reserve Engine) Specs: 58k miles 1 stage 1,250 GPM pump 750 gal water 21 gal class A foam Engine Cummins ISC 330 GVWR 36,600 lbs Seats 6 LP# 1309246 on board generator Needed Repairs: Headlight switch Hose reel hose auto ejector ground lights engineer compartment light tank to pump pump packing cab lock mount welds cracked When E55 is replaced, this vehicle could be surplused or placed at a future Fire Station.
E-355 1998 International Type 3 ID# 8752 (Wildland Engine) Out-of-service as of 4/2017 Specs: 20K miles 1 stage 1,000 GPM pump 600 gal water 20 gal class A foam 125 GPM aux pump 125 GPM foam inductor Engine International 530 GVWR 35k lbs Seats 5 LP# 1008752 Needed Repairs: pump suction plumbing leak captain s seat aux pump OOS Water Pump radiator transfer case seal leaking This apparatus is 19 years old and in need of major repairs exceeding $10,000. The Fire Chief is evaluating and will make a recommendation to the City Manager and in the document (see below). Its age makes it non-complaint with NFPA for first-out and it is not reliable enough for Cal OES Responses around the State. This vehicle is also heavy and limited on its responses offroad and on levees. Brush 55 is a more suitable and safer option. WT-55 2003 Sterling Type 2 WT ID# 3188 (Water Tender) Specs: 10k miles 1 stage 750 GPM pump 2,500 gal water 3,000 gal portable tank GVWR 56k lbs Seats 3 LP# 1133188 Needed Repairs: A/C intake electrolysis screens This apparatus is in good shape and well maintained. There is no recommendation on replacement timeframe as a regional mission should be explored first. Montezuma and Rio Vista have duplicating apparatus and with the City having hydrants in most areas, this apparatus needs to be evaluated further. WT55 has been made available in ROSS and could go out on Cal OES requests under the CFAA and as such, could have a mission. T-55 1998 E-One 95 Aerial Platform ID# 4230 (Ladder Truck) Specs: 42k miles 1 stage 1,500 GPM pump 220 gal water Engine 60 Series Detroit Diesel GVWR 69k lbs Seats 4 LP# 1454230 on board generator Needed Repairs: pump packing tires - Ladder rack needs to be reconfigured to fit all ladders Need some valve repairs This apparatus is excessive for the City of Rio Vista. The 95 ladder is useful for areas of setback but the apparatus size makes it difficult for maneuverability on many streets. While it has benefit and positively impacts our ISO rating, it is impractical for use and response. This could be replaced with a tele-squirt or 75 quint. This Fire Chief recommends the feasibility of this apparatus be explored before the value in the apparatus declines.
Another consideration could be the replacement of our Type 1 (E55) with a tele-squirt that could serve in both capacities and reduce our overhead and fleet size. T55 has value and could be marketed to help with replacement costs. B-55 2001 Ford F-550 4x4 Type 5 ID# 6977 (Brush Patrol) Specs: 16k miles - 1 stage 84 GPM aux pump 417 gal water 20 gal class A foam Engine Ford 7.3 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel - GVWR 14,100 lbs Seats 3 LP# 1056977 Needed Repairs: A/C pump gate valve This apparatus is one of the most versatile in our fleet. It performs well in grass lands and is light enough to go more placed than a traditional apparatus. Its only (2) limitations is water and compartment space. This apparatus would make an ideal medical response vehicle, however, the compartment space and cab size limits the operations in this Type 6 Apparatus. It is the recommendation of the Fire Chief that the use and mission of E355 and B55 be examined and that a replacement for both be designed into (1) wildland apparatus. This would be an ideal joint purchase with the Delta Fire Protection District as it will serve a direct mission in Sacramento County. R-55 1997 Ford Super Duty F450 ID# 9123 (Rescue Truck) Specs: 21k miles Engine 7.3 Ford Power Stroke Turbo Diesel GVWR 15k miles Seats 3 LP# 989123 on board generator Needed Repairs: Strobe lights This vehicle gets moderate use when staffing allows. It holds all the specialized rescue equipment and can be driven by those without a specialized license. There is no replacement recommended at this time due to other higher priorities (E55) and until a clear mission for T55 is defined. A Truck Company generally will carry all the specialized equipment and is recognized to have much of this equipment on it. RVFD staff is currently evaluating the future of this vehicle and exploring outfitting T55 with the rescue cache. C-55 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 4x4 ID# 0514 (Chief/Staff Vehicle) Specs: 2,129 miles Seats 5 LP# 1410514 Needed Repairs: n/a Chief Vehicle - Replacement in 2022 or as needed for additional staff
U-55 2008 Ford Expedition 4x4 ID# 6474 (Staff Vehicle) Specs: 93k miles Seats 5 LP# 1316474 Needed Repairs: n/a Use: Staff Utility and as Squad 55 in a trial period for the QRV medical responses. This vehicle will also serve as out-of-county for overhead and Fire Line Medics. During other times it can serve as a staff utility for training or errands. There is no plan to replace until the QRV program is evaluated. C-255 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis ID# 9350 (Fire Prevention) Specs: 47k miles Seats 5 LP# 1309350 Needed Repairs: Paint There is no replacement plan for this vehicle. It is used for Fire Prevention staff and volunteers. In the future if the City hires a full-time fire marshal or Battalion Chief, we would re-evaluate a vehicle for that position, or move the Chiefs vehicle to that position. Recommendations: 1. Work toward a goal of adopting and meeting NFPA 1911 Standard for Fire Apparatus. Establish standards for front-line and reserve apparatus age (10 & 25 years). 2. Explore possible surplus sale of Engine 355. Take revenue from sale and place it into the apparatus replacement fund. This recommendation is based on the extensive repairs needed and the age of this apparatus. Consider Mutual Aid responses to Ryer Island and consult with Montezuma Fire prior. Some staff has recommended keeping his Engine as it is pre-emissions (CA); however the life span is far past 10 years for front-line and nearing 25 years for reserve status. 3. Fire Chief to explore the current value and mission of E355, R55 and T55. 4. Work to spec or build a replacement for Engine 55 with another Type 1 Engine through an internal apparatus committee. Explore lease purchases where a payment would be inline with the annual capital replacement funds. Move current E55 (Pierce) to reserve status (E255). a. As an option, explore the cost difference between a Type 1 and a tele-squirt or 75 quint. If the difference is less than $200,000, consider the sale of T55 to fund the
difference. A smaller truck company, one that is more commensurate to our needs, and one less apparatus in the fleet will reduce maintenance costs and decrease our liability. This apparatus could serve as the first out to Structure fires (Type 1 Engine) and also meet the requirements of a Type 1 Truck Company. This may allow us to keep E255 (HME) in the fleet for a future Fire Station and/or Strike Teams. This should only be considered if a light vehicle is used for medical and public assist responses. 5. If 4(a) is not achievable, explore the option of equipping T55 with the rescue compliment. 6. Evaluate the need to keep Rescue 55 in the fleet; based on mission and options with T55. 7. Develop a joint mission with Delta FPD and funding mechanism for replacement of B55 and E355, to have the fleet contain (1) Wildland Fire Apparatus. The Fire Chief recommends a Type 6 Engine with a 4 door crew cab, large compartments and a 300 gallon water tank. Outfit this vehicle with ALS (Paramedic) equipment and have it respond to medical calls year-round. A light Type 3 could also be an option (CalFIRE spec). Include allied Agencies in the discussion and exploration of a Wildland Fire Apparatus and ensure more duplication does not occur. 8. Develop a joint mission and regional vision for Water Tender use and response. Pending those results, update the Apparatus replacement plan to include WT55. Take into consideration Montezuma WT51 and the anticipated Water Tender going to River Delta this year. 9. Consider replacement of staff vehicles at 130,000 miles or (15) years depending on performance and condition. 10. Water Rescue: The RVFD and surrounding Agencies are not operational for any offshore water rescue, yet we serve a community in (2) Counties bordered by an intercoastal waterway. Private boats should not be relied on and the USCG is not always available. While a Fire Boat has been something past Fire Chiefs have explored, the training required and staff needed is a challenge and may not be feasible with current staffing levels; therefore is not a recommendation at this time. Joint Agency responses and a multi-agency boat could be explored; however this is dependent on complex staffing arrangements and requires extensive training. Streamlining operations and accountability will be an issue in (2) or more Agencies and under multiple administrations.
As an alternative and shorter term solution, the Fire Chief is recommending the exploration of a PWC (Personal Water Craft) or Jet-Ski, with a sled, for water rescue. The RVFD has a duty to act and we have not equipped out staff with any level of training or the tools to perform their duties or meet the expectations of the boating public. 11. Consider establishing a fleet size that is commensurate to the Community Risk and one that takes into consideration neighboring Fire Department s resources available to us through Mutual Aid. After considering the 10 recommendations above, a more manageable RVFD fleet could consist of: 1 Front-line Engine (Type 1) or Quint 1 Reserve Engine (Type 1) 1 Ladder Truck (unless the front-line Engine is a Quint) 1 Wildland Engine, Type 3 with structure capability (Delta and RVFD apparatus) 1 Type 6 Engine (pickup) possibly first-out for medical and public assist incidents 2 staff vehicles (Fire Chief and Fire Prevention) 1 Personal Water Craft with sled Based on best practices and the needs of the community, service would continue uninterrupted with a reliable fleet of this size. With the assistance of our allied Agencies additional resources would be available on significant incidents. Apparatus should be built and purchased to meet the needs of the City and District we serve. Fiscal Impact: A Type 1 Engine costs between $450,000 and $600,000 depending on specifications. Recommend exploration of a 6 year least purchase with an annual payment of under $60,000. A Type 6 Engine can cost up to $180,000. Lease purchases can also be explored that will result in an annual payment of under $36,000. If shared with the Delta Fire Protection District, the impact to Rio Vista would be estimated at $18,000. This cost could be offset by operational savings with running this vehicle to Medical calls and/or private public partnerships yielding EMS revenue. These recommendations result in an (estimated) fiscal impact of $78,000 and an amount greater than the established capital replacement funds. This recommendation also takes into consideration the expiring lease payment on the E-One Ladder Truck.