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TO: Mayor Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Matt Anslow, Assistant Chief of Services - Aurora Fire Department
DATE: March 21, 2024
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing an increased purchase price by $66,836.00 for Engine Nine for a total purchase price of $864,844.00.
PURPOSE:
To increase the budgetary number supplied by our dealer Fire Service Inc. originally supplied on April 8th, 2022. While the increase in proposal price is significant, the impact on longevity of the vehicle, safety of the crews, and functionality for the residents of the city cannot be overlooked.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Fire Department routinely replaces vehicles that are nearing or exceeded their service life for front line vehicles moving them to reserve status. This new engine will become new Engine Nine, however it was originally ordered be put in service as Engine 13. This was to fit the original timeline for the station that will be built at Bilter and Nan. The next order of engines is set to be delivered about the new projected timeline for the opening of Fire Station 13. This purchase was originally approved in resolution R22-132.
DISCUSSION:
Fire Service Inc. is the area dealer for the Aurora Fire Departments vehicles. The City of Aurora last purchased a truck from Fire Service Inc. in June of 2020. The vehicle pricing is secured through the Houston-Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC), allowing the Aurora Fire Department to purchase the truck at a group rate at a 7.3% discount.
The increase in purchase price has to do with this fire engine being the first to have a larger horsepower diesel engine that will increase pumping power and, longevity of the engine, saving the city money in the long term. This vehicle is equipped with more storage in areas previously unavailable to the Fire Department, to take advantage of the spaces now available the doors had to be rearranged adding to the build price. However, this added storage will make emergency medical equipment faster to deploy, saving precious moments during medical calls. Development in emergency scene lighting was employed on this vehicle that will allow the first responders a safer working environment at fires, medical calls, and accident scenes. This will allow for better level of service during calls ranging from daily calls for service to the calls that are life and death.
A budget amendment would be added to account 255-3033-422.75-10 to cover the additional cost of the engine.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This purchase will allow the Fire Department to continue to provide the emergency services that the residents have come to trust and expect from the Fire Department. The truck will pump water more efficiently with the increased engine size, and the reconfiguring of compartments will help crews deploy faster at emergency scenes. Maintaining a fleet of functional front line and reserve equipment is a cornerstone to the AFD.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend that the Finance Committee and City Council accept the change order increase in purchase price of the new fire engine design that adds $66,836 to the overall purchase price of $864,844.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the increase of $66,836 to the purchase price for the 2024 E-ONE Cyclone Pumper for a total of $864,844
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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 needs to continue to offer reliable fire, rescue, and EMS services to the residents, and
WHEREAS, the initial purchase of a Cyclone pumper was approved in 2022 with resolution R22-132;
WHEREAS, a budget amendment will need to be submitted to cover the shortage in account 255-3033-422.75-10.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois does hereby authorize the increased cost of $66,836 to purchase a 2024 E-ONE Cyclone Pumper from Fire Service Inc., St. John Indiana for the total of $864,844