Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDAMEMORANDUM
Item No.
10a
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
June 25, 2024
DATE: June 18, 2024
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Randy J. Krause, Fire Chief
Reiter, Wendy, Director of Security
SUBJECT: Fire Apparatus Update - Increase Funding of CIP 801040
Amount of this request:
$10,169,500
Total estimated project cost:
$10,169,500
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to authorize $10,169,500 for
CIP 801040 for renewal and replacement of fire department apparatus.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department received approval from the Aviation Investment Committee for
$10,169,500 for the renewal and replacement of apparatus to replace our aging fleet between
2019 to 2030. The reason we have put 2019 as the early date because we have deferred several
years’ worth of purchases in support of helping the Aviation Division address the cost impacts of
COVID-19. As the financial environment improved, we are now requesting to get back on our
buying cycle with this request. This request is intended to get commission approval, allowing us
to work with the capital program team and CPO to purchase the equipment without coming back
to commission for each apparatus purchase. In the fire department evaluation of current
apparatus, we have determined current and future apparatus and vehicle needs. This will be
explained visually in the presentation provided. The apparatus and vehicles being requested to
be replaced are; (2) Aircraft Rescue Firefighter Apparatus (2006, 2010 mfg dates), (1) fire engine
(2010 mfg date), (2)Aid Cars (mfg dates 2000, 2010), (1) Hazardous Materials Apparatus (mfg
date 1989), a Technical Rescue Vehicle (New), (1) Stair Truck (New) and two Gators w/trailers
(New). There is significant lead time to manufacture these apparatuses and vehicles. So, the
dollars associated with this request will be spread over multiple years. A production time chart
will be provided in the presentation, indicating expected delivery dates once the purchase is
executed.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: June 25, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
JUSTIFICATION
The Fire Department has an apparatus/vehicle purchasing plan that is supported by industry best
practices and identified in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The intention
is to purchase Engines and Aid cars every 7-10 years, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Apparatus every
10 years, Hazardous Materials Apparatus every 12-15 years, and Technical Rescue Vehicles every
12-15 years. This replacement cycle deviates and fluctuates to support the Aviation Division
financial position at the time of request and is often deferred if preventative maintenance is
keeping the apparatus in good operational standing. As part of this request, we will be replacing
a 2006 and 2010 ARFF Apparatus, a 2006 Fire Engine, two Aid Cars that were received in 2000
and 2010, a Hazardous Materials Apparatus received in 1889, a Stair Truck, and adding a new
Technical Rescue Vehicle, and two new gators with trailers to support a major incident involving
many patients, as we may see in a large aircraft incident. The request is to replace an aging fleet
that is past its effective useful life and get the fire department back on track with our purchases
after COVID 19.
Diversity in Contracting
All purchases will be coordinated through both CPO and the assigned buyer to ensure diversity
in contracting is considered.
Scope of Work
Complete necessary acquisition, equipping of vehicles and Capital Improvement Project close-
out activities before Q4 2030.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do nothing and extend life of fleet. (NOT RECOMMENDED)
Choosing to delay these purchases jeopardizes our emergency response capabilities across all
disciplines due to the lack of service availability of older vehicles in the fleet. Currently we
experience long delays acquiring parts for our older equipment. We must be creative and
coordinate with Boeing Fire Department or King County Airport if we were to lose an ARFF
Vehicle. In addition, as we continue to get busier both on the airport and off, we continue to
incur risk when our Technical Rescue and/or Hazardous Materials response is needed in the
community. We need to separate the equipment in order to maintain a better response posture
on and off the airport.
Pros:
(1) No positives to our abilities by continuing to extend the life of our aging fleet.
Cons:
(1) Impacts are ability to maintain our response profile in all disciplines.
(2) Reduces cost and out of service time of our aging fleet.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: June 25, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 –Extend the purchasing window out 5-10 Years (Not Recommended)
It may seem reasonable to extend the purchasing window, however, we have already delayed
purchasing by 4-5 years due to COVID. We did this to support the economic downturn at the
airport by deferring these purchases in our effort to help push costs out into future years. This
delay has put our fleet at greater risk, but our mechanics have been able to keep the fleet
operational to date. Doing this would continue to put our aging fleet at risk and could impact
our ability to respond effectively.
Cost Implications:
Pros:
(1) Defers costs.
Cons:
(1) Could be costly as maintenance of the aging fleet continue to increase.
(2) May affect our ability to respond effectively.
This is not the recommended alternative.
This is the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Purchase all apparatus and vehicles as requested. (Preferred Option)
Approve the purchase as requested allowing the Port of Seattle Fire Department to get back on
its apparatus purchasing cycle. This will ensure that the fire department will have access to
dependable, reliable, and service ready equipment over the next decade.
Cost Implications:
Pros:
(1) Replaces aging fleet.
(2) Allows the separation of hazardous materials and technical rescue response.
(3) Allows better capabilities in the clear zones and on the airfield for a major emergency.
(4) The monies will be allocated over a 3–6-year window.
Cons:
(1) No downside.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
This project was approved by the Aviation Investment Committee in 2018 plan of finance under
CIP #C801040 in the amount of $5,000,000 and we are seeking an increase to this CIP of
5,169,500. The current total project estimate is $10,169,500.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10a Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: June 25, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$5,000,000
$0
$5,000,000
Previous changes – net
0
0
0
Current change
$5,169,500
0
$5,169.500
Revised estimate
10,169,500
0
10,169,500
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
0
0
0
Current request for authorization
0
0
0
Total authorizations, including this request
0
0
0
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
$0
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
None
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation