HomeMy WebLinkAbout9E - Fire Dept Tanker Truck
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA ITEM:
June 6, 1999
9E
Dave Chromy, Fire Chief tgJ t, .s
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 99~ AUTHORIZING
ADVERTISEMENT AND SOLICITATION OF BlllS'TO PURCHASE
ONE FIRE DEPARTMENT,TANKER TRUCK.
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
DISCUSSION:
History
The present tanker truck, a 1978 Ford 800, was purchased used in
1994 to replace a tanker truck wrecked in an accident while
responding to a call. The purchase price was approximately $10,500.
It was purchased as a band-aid vehicle until we were slated to buy a
new replacement vehicle. The equipment matrix calls for replacement
in 1999.
Current Circumstances
The current tanker truck has 6650 miles. It has a 5-speed manual
transmission with a high/low range. It has hydraulic brakes. Its
primary use is to transport water to fire scenes where there is no
municipal water in areas of Prior Lake and to the two townships we
provide fire services to. This truck responds to approximately 50 to 60
calls each year.
Our primary reasons for replacement of this vehicle are safety and
operability. We have less than 10 people on the fire department staff
who can drive this truck because of its manual transmission with
high/low range. Five of those members are officers of the department
who have different roles on the fire scene than that of truck driver.
The lack of experience with manual transmissions let alone with a
high/low range makes training of drivers for this vehicle lengthy and
difficult.
The hydraulic brake system is not adequate for stopping and holding
2200 gallons (17,600 pounds) of water in place. We have ruined two
(2) drop tanks in the last 3 years because the brakes did not hold and
pinned one firefighter between the drop tank and the truck.
We have made changes in our operating procedure to raise the
safety level of our fire scene when this truck is used. We have moved
the parking brake, required the driver to never leave the vehicle, and
added wheel chocks that must be in place before anyone can remove
and set up the drop tank or go behind the truck to dump the load of
16241o:IDl;jW<<:l~P$~!R66lJ1._i9E,ootihesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
ISSUES:
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
REVIEWED BY:
water. Unlike air brakes, hydraulic brakes do not lock when the
engine is off.
The final concern is that this vehicle has a rear water dump only. The
new truck would have three dumps on it, a rear and one on each side.
It would also have an automatic transmission and brakes designed for
the load carried.
The truck itself has fairly low mileage (6650 miles). The tank support
undercarriage is made of wood and will soon need replacement due
to structural decay. We had investigated transferring the tank onto our
1974 pumper which has a diesel engine and air brakes. The
estimated cost is $45,000. Given the age of both the tank and truck, it
did not appear to be a practical move.
The matrix contains $115,000 for this acquisition. Estimated costs are
$130,000 which requires that $15,000 be drawn from the equipment
fund balance. This amount can be reduced to $5,000 if we receive
$10,000 for trade-in of our existing equipment. (Police and fire
vehicles are exempt from sales tax.)
The tanker is used to respond to fires where municipal water is not
readily available. Credit River and Spring Lake Townships are primary
usage areas. The cost of City equipment is prorated into the annual
fire service fees paid by the Townships to the City so that they
support a portion of the capital costs. We do not contemplate that the
townships will assume responsibility for their own fire protection
anytime soon.
(1) Authorize advertisement and solicitation of bids for a replacement
Fire Department tanker.
(2) Defer action for specific information.
Alternative (1). Specifications have been completed. The actual
bidding process will reveal the actual cost of the equipment and trade-
in for the existing tanker.
Fran
1:\COUNCILIAGNRPTS\99\0607 _9E.DOC
RESOLUTION 99.0 &:3
A Resolution Authorizing the Advertisement
and Solicitation of Bids to Purchase One Fire
Department Tanker Truck.
Motion By:
II(.
Second By:
jf'
WHEREAS,
the present Fire Department tanker truck, a 1978 Ford 800, presents a safety hazard to
firefighters in its operation; and
WHEREAS,
the tanker truck has exceeded its useful life; and
WHEREAS,
the Matrix for Capital Equipment Replacement plans for replacement of the tanker truck
in 1999;
Now THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Prior Lake hereby authorizes the
advertisement and solicitation of bids for replacement of the fire department tanker truck.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF JUNE, 1999.
y S NO
Mader Mader
Kedrowski Kedrowski
Petersen ^ Petersen
Schenck l' Schenck
Wuellner 'I. Wuellner
{Seal}
City Manager, City of Prior Lake
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER