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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Matt Anslow, Assistant Chief of Services - Aurora Fire Department
DATE: April 7, 2023
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the purchase of three (3) 2025 E-ONE Cyclone Custom Cab 1500 GPM Engines for $2,965,947.00 from Fire Service Inc, along with $75,000.00 for the garage set up fee for a total of $3,040,947.00
PURPOSE:
To purchase three (3) 2024 E-ONE Cyclone Custom Cab 1500 GPM Engines from Fire Service Inc. to replace reserve engines, 2000 E-ONE with 104,980 miles, a 2003 E-ONE with 125,346 miles, and a 2004 E-ONE with 132,836 Miles. All of which are at the end of their serviceable life span. This is on the recommendation of Derrick Winston from Equipment Services.
BACKGROUND:
The fire department depends on reliable vehicles to respond to emergency calls from its citizens. In order to ensure a reliable fleet of vehicles, equipment services have recommended vehicles be used as front line apparatus for 13 years. When a vehicle is replaced as a front-line vehicle, that vehicle is moved to reserve status, and utilized when a front-line vehicle is out of service for maintenance, or additional equipment is needed for large emergencies. At that time, the oldest reserve engine, or the one that is least reliable, is removed from service. Due to longer build times this order will be delivered at the time of our front line engines reaching the end of their front line service life.
DISCUSSION:
Due to lead times of up to 26 to 29 months from the time of orders being placed, we are requesting the approval to place the order now for delivery to take place in 2025 and possibly early 2026. The preordering concept was discussed with both the Finance Department and the Mayor's Office, and it was determined this is the best approach.
Equipment services has recommended that front line fire department engines get moved to reserve status when they are 13 years old. This practice allows former front-line engines to be used as reserve vehicles that are reliable enough to be of service when the front-line vehicles are in the shop for maintenance and repairs. The new engines will replace two 2012 front line engines (engine 1 and 10). Then replacing a 2013 front line engine (engine 9).
The City of Aurora, IL last purchased Fire engines from Fire Service in 2020. They are the local dealer for the E-ONE Manufacturer of Ocala Florida that the city has used since the late 90s. The vehicle pricing is secured through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC), allowing the Aurora Fire Department to purchase the engine at a group rate. The H-GAC Cooperative Bid is 7.2% less than E-One's most recent standalone bid price. The H-GAC Cooperative has been used by several departments in Illinois. Because each engine has slightly different specifications based on the operations of each department, an exact comparison is not possible.
Per the sales agreement attached, the approximate time from contract to delivery is 26-29 months. Due to this long order to build times The City of Aurora, needs to place the orders in advance to stay on schedule with replacement plans. This will also lock in current pricing avoiding future price increases. With the ordering of Engine 13 the design of a taller cab and lower hose beds has increased the price, this increase should be offset with less knee and shoulder injuries due to the lower hose bed configuration.
These engines will be purchased and budgeted in future years using account 255-3033-422.75-10 There is $2,965,947 in this account along with a need for $75,000 in account 255-3033-422.38-89 to be allocated for the garage for vehicle set-up, including radio and tool mounting.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
In order to provide the City of Aurora with reliable emergency services, the fire department relies on a fleet of response apparatus to get to those calls. When vehicles reach a certain age, they are more prone to mechanical breakdowns as well as increased maintenance costs. Older apparatus are out of service more often for repairs. By replacing 13-year-old front line engine with a new apparatus, and removing 2003 and older reserve equipment, the fire department will be better able to respond to requests for help from the public.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Finance Committee authorize the Fire Department to purchase three (3) E-ONE 1500 Gallon per minute fire engines form Fire Service Inc. of St. John, IN. for $2,965,947.00 plus $75,000.00 garage set up fees.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to purchase three (3) E-ONE 1500 gallon per minute fire engines from Fire Service Inc. of St John Indiana for $2,965,947.00.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department has three E-One 1500 gallon per minute fire engines closing in on the end of front line use; and
WHEREAS, Fire Services, Inc. and E-One have acknowledged the ability to produce the necessary fire apparatus for the Aurora Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Fire Service Inc has agreed to purchase through the Houston-Galveston Area Cooperative Purchasing program (H-GAC); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Aurora Code Section 2-335(a)(3)(6) the fire department desires to purchase Three (3) E-One 1500 gallon per minute (GPM) fire engines from Fire Services, Inc., St. John, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, funding will be budgeted in accounts 255-3033-422.75-10 in the amount of $2,965,947.00 and 255-3033-422.38-89 in the amount of $75,000.00; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Hereby authorize the purchase of Three (3) E-One 1500 gallon per minute (GPM) fire engines from Fire Services, Inc., St. John, Indiana in the amount of $2,965,947.00 plus $75,000 garage set up fees and the Director of Purchasing to issue the necessary orders.