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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-183 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA OR ITS DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE WITH PIERCE MANUFACTURING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A PIERCE ARROW XT TRIPLE COMBINATION PUMPER/FIRE ENGINE
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
The Chula Vista Fire Department delivers Fire and Emergency Medical Services to residents, visitors, and employees every day. The Department's primary emergency response vehicle is a Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine. Staff is requesting authorization to enter into a sole source purchase with Pierce Manufacturing for the acquisition of a Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine to replace an existing front line Pumper, which will be placed into reserve status.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(2) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it involves only the authorization to purchase a vehicle which is an on-going administrative and maintenance activity; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060[c][3] of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DISCUSSION
The Fire Department responds to Fire and Emergency Medical incidents both within and out of the City of Chula Vista twenty-four hours a day 365 days a year. The Department's primary response vehicle is a Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine of which the Department staffs eight daily. The Fire Department also staffs two Pierce 100 foot Aerial Ladder Trucks, a Pierce Type III Heavy Rescue, one International Navistar Brush Engine and two Chevrolet Suburban Command Vehicles. The Department's reserve fleet consists of three Seagraves Open Cab Style Engines and one Smeal 100 foot Aerial Ladder Truck.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1901 is the regulation that governs Automotive Fire Apparatus. NFPA 1901 requires fire apparatus be placed in front line (primary) response status for 15 years, and then in reserve status (back-up) for 10 years for a total of 25 years of service.
In January of 2014 City Council approved the lease purchase agreement to acquire a new Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine. As a result of this purchase the department will move one of the current front line apparatus into the reserve fleet. This additional apparatus will replace one front line Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine that has been in service for 14 years. This apparatus will be moved to the reserve fleet, greatly enhancing both the primary and reserve apparatus availability.
This purchase is a sole source purchase through Pierce Manufacturing. The Fire Department uses Pierce Manufacturing to purchase frontline operational emergency response vehicles for several critical reasons:
1. Equipment Standardization: Providing the same type of emergency response apparatus is critical in order to provide a standard approach to training all personnel. This ensures that our personnel can operate fire apparatus at a competent level while under duress of emergency response.
2. Safety: Fire personnel are consistently moved from one fire station to another. Maintaining a fleet of fire apparatus that operate consistently throughout our fleet ensures driver/operators and firefighters can operate and locate equipment in an efficient and timely manner while working in emergency situations.
3. Operational Efficiency and interoperability: The City and neighboring fire agencies respond to emergencies together on a daily basis. Interoperability of fire apparatus equipment and training are crucial to our firefighter safety.
The fiscal year 2014-2015 adopted budget includes funding in the TUT Common Fund ($481,874) and in the Equipment Vehicle Replacement Fund ($130,000) to purchase a new Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine. The Fire Department is requesting authorization to enter into a sole source purchase with Pierce Manufacturing for the acquisition of a Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine in the amount of $611,874. This new fire apparatus will help to increase the reliability of the Fire Department's current fleet (less downtime for mechanical issues), provides a safer response vehicle than the existing fleet (enclosed cab, and safety striping), and is more fuel efficient.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City of Chula Vista City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This resolution meets the goals of Operational Excellence and Healthy Community. Updating our current fleet of fire apparatus will allow the Fire Department to provide improved service. The new apparatus will assist with response times; improve firefighter safety, and overall operational efficiency.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost to purchase the Fire Engine is $611,874; the fiscal year 2014-2015 adopted budget includes funding in the TUT Common Fund ($481,874) and in the Equipment Vehicle Replacement Fund ($130,000) to purchase a new Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine. The funding will cover the costs associated with the manufacturing, inspecting, and delivery of a Pierce Triple Combination Pumper/Fire Engine with an estimated delivery date of April 30, 2015. After delivery the fire engine needs to be outfitted with tools and equipment. The fiscal year 2014-2015 adopted budget also includes funding for these costs, estimated at $60,000. There will be no additional fiscal impacts in the current year.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The ongoing fiscal impact associated with this purchase will include fleet maintenance, tools, and equipment replacement. This purchase is a replacement apparatus and ongoing costs are included the City's operational budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Pierce Manufacturing Quote
Pierce Manufacturing Proposal
Staff Contact: James Garcia, Deputy Fire Chief