HomeMy WebLinkAboutVII(E) Emergency Purchase And Financing Authorization For Woods Truck Replacement For Fire Department Agenda 3-06-2001
Item VII E
Ocoee Fire Department
125 N. Bluford Ave. Ocoee, Florida 34761
R. D. Strosnider Business: 407-656-2322
Fire Chief Emergency: 911
MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Commission
5
From: R. D. Strosnider, Fire Chief �
Date: February 28, 2001
Re: Staff Report-Woods Truck Replacement
Background:
The Ocoee Fire Department has been utilizing a 1956 Dodge military vehicle on
loan from the State Division of Forestry for off-road, wildland firefighting. The
vehicle has been an invaluable resource for many years, but has been placed
permanently out of service due to unavailability of replacement parts. Nationwide
searches by automotive repair facilities have found that parts no longer exist and
repairs would require major retrofits that are not economically prudent, based on
the age and condition of the body/chassis of the vehicle.
The Division of Forestry has advised the Fire Department that there are no
available vehicles in their inventory, or through government surplus that would suit
our needs in the City. The Fire Department has identified the need to replace the
woods truck in the Capital Improvement Plan, but the need has now become
critical.
Discussion:
Over the past year, the Fire Department has invested $5,274.39 replacing the tank,
pump and hoses in a skid load configuration on the woods truck in order to
maintain the wildland firefighting capability. Although the wildland within the City
is rapidly being developed, there is still a significant amount of property requiring"
protection by this specialized apparatus, and will continue to exist in the future.
Since April 1998 the woods truck has responded to 89 calls for service.
The continuing drought conditions statewide underscore the need for wildland fire
protection. The City has experienced at least two wildland fires within the past few
months that required rapid intervention by wildland firefighting resources in order
to protect the surrounding residential structures. A replacement for the woods truck
is required to maintain this level of protection without total dependence on outside
agencies. (-7\
Recommendation:
Fire Department staff recommends that the current vehicle on loan from the
Division of Forestry be replaced with the following:
Ford SD-F350, 1 ton cab and chassis, 4 x 4 wheel drive, with winch, skid
plate and grill guard. Cost of the vehicle on State contract will be
$23,103.00
The skid, tank, pump and equipment boxes that were purchased for $ 5,274.39
will be transferred from the existing vehicle to the new vehicle. There will be a
minimal cost associated with the installation of the skid on the new vehicle, as well
as fabrication of a personnel platform between the cab and skid for safe firefighting
operations.
Impact fees will be used to fund the vehicle for the first year, and general revenue
for the remainder of the years.
Staff requests that the City Commission approve the purchase and authorize
Finance to secure financing at the best interest rate available and further authorize
the Mayor, City Clerk, and staff to execute all documents necessary to consummate
the transaction, contemplated by the lease purchase agreement.