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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: David McCabe, Fire Assistant Chief - Support Services
DATE: July 18, 2019
SUBJECT:
Authorization to purchase an E-One brand 100 ft. ladder truck for the Aurora Fire Department, from Fire Service Inc. of Saint John, Indiana through the Houston-Galveston Area Council cooperative buying program for $1,012,756.00.
PURPOSE:
To ensure that Aurora Fire Department personnel have sufficient and dependable equipment to provide the proper levels of emergency service to the citizens of Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Fire Department currently operates three front-line ladder trucks and one reserve ladder truck to respond to emergency calls within three different geographical areas of the city. When one of the three front-line trucks is out of service, whether for repairs or scheduled maintenance, the fourth reserve truck is activated to maintain operations. With only one reserve ladder truck, there have been numerous instances of two ladder trucks being out of service for maintenance, resulting in a ladder truck company assigned to a reserve fire engine, reducing their ability to perform all of their vital functions at emergency scenes.
One of the front line ladder trucks, T2, is smaller than the other three and assigned to the central area of town where the narrow streets and tight corners make it very difficult for the other trucks to maneuver. Currently, there is no comparable reserve unit to deploy when T2 is out of service.
DISCUSSION:
In order to ensure a reliable fleet of vehicles, the Equipment Services Division recommends replacement intervals for each vehicle classification. Depending on factors such as maintenance costs and overall condition, the replacement interval for a particular vehicle may be modified. Ladder trucks typically serve as front line units for fifteen years and reserve units for twenty years. When a front line vehicle is replaced, that vehicle is moved to reserve status and utilized when a front-line vehicle is out of service for maintenance, or if additional equipment is needed for large emergencies.
The City of Aurora has been a good steward of capital funds by extending the useful life of our Ladders to a 20 year period. At $50,000 to $75,000 a year (15 - 20 year life for a $1.0 million vehicle), this is a $250,000 to $375,000 savings per vehicle in current dollars but these savings are mitigated by maintenance costs which average approximately $30,000 - $50,000 per year. This lifecycle has provided the minimum coverage needed for fire protection services. Adding a second reserve will provide both cost savings and reliable coverage given the maintenance requirements of all ladder trucks.
The fire department is requesting authority to purchase a new E-One ladder truck through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC), allowing the Aurora Fire Department to purchase the truck at a group rate. The E-One H-GAC cooperative bid price is 7.2% less than list price for the same vehicle. Because of the competitive price obtained by going through buying groups such as the H-GAC, Aurora FD staff was unable to locate any fire department in Chicagoland that did not utilize the a cooperative service when buying an E-One ladder truck over the past three years. H-GAC is the service utilized most often, including being used by Rockford, Elgin, Naperville, and Springfield. The final price includes the $2,000.00 fee to the H-GAC for utilizing the service. The current H-GAC contract has effective dates of December 1, 2017 to November 30, 2019. There will likely be a price increase after the current contract expires.
Since a cooperative agreement is being used, local preference does not apply.
This truck was part of the approved vehicle replacements for 2019 and would be funded by 255-3033-422-7510, which budgeted $1,483,600.00.
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 when used as front-line apparatus on a daily basis. Older apparatus are out of service more often for repairs. By replacing a 2000 front line ladder truck with a new apparatus, the fire department will be better able to respond to requests for help from the public. The truck will have value for the department as a reserve apparatus, without being subjected to the wear-and-tear of everyday use.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee authorize the Aurora Fire Department to purchase one (1) E-One 100 ft. ladder truck from Fire Service Inc. of Saint John, In. for $1,012,756.00.
cc: Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to purchase one (1) E-One 100 foot ladder truck from Fire Service, Inc. of Saint John, Indiana, in the amount of $1,012,756.00.
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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 desires to replace a nineteen (19) year-old front-line ladder truck, and
WHEREAS, Fire Services, Inc. and E-One have acknowledged the ability to produce the necessary ladder truck for the Aurora Fire Department, and
WHEREAS, Fire Service, Inc. has agreed to the purchase through the Houston-Galveston Area Cooperative Purchasing Program (H-GAC); and
WHEREAS, the 2019 City Budget shall provide adequate funding for this item in account 255-3033-422.75-10 (SHAPE Fund).
WHEREAS, pursuant to Aurora Code Section 2-335(a)(3)(6) the fire department desires to purchase one (1) E-One 100 foot ladder truck from Fire Services, Inc., St. John, Indiana; and)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: Hereby authorize the purchase of one (1) E-One 100 foot ladder truck from Fire Services, Inc. of Saint John, Indiana in the amount of $1,012,756.00 for the Aurora Fire Department and does hereby further authorize its Director of Purchasing to issue the necessary orders to implement purchase of same