8. Discussion on reuse of Fire Department brush truck
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September 05, 2018
To: City Council
From: Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Re: Old Brush Truck 5175
Background:
The city replaced brush truck 5175 with a new unit this year (2018). Old 5175 is a 1995 Ford
F350 with a slip in pump/tank unit. This truck was replaced due to age and reliability issues.
Scandia Fire and Rescue has requested a Chief’s vehicle or utility in the past with no success.
With this truck already owned by the city there is no purchase cost.
If we are allowed to keep this truck as a utility these are some of the ways it will be used:
1. Transport training equipment to and from training sights.
a) Rescue Dummies
b) Confined space props
c) Forcible entry props
d) Wood props
2. Training officer transport
a) Allows training officer to get to area ahead of other units while not using a unit
that is part of the training.
3. Use to attend meetings/training so firefighters do not have to use their personal
vehicles. We cannot take any of the other fire trucks since the storage cabinets cannot
be locked.
a) Washington county chief’s
b) Dive training
c) Capital city regional meetings
d) Meetings at county sheriff's office.
e) Off sight training (other departments or colleges)
4. Use to transport dirty fire hose & equipment (Cancerous Materials).
a) Currently have to put contaminated equipment on top of fire engine (dangerous)
or bring a personal truck out to scene.
b) Mitigate cancer risk by putting all sooted equipment in back of pickup rather
than back in storage spot until cleaned at fire station (Air packs, turnout gear,
hose, tools)
c) The cancer rate is much higher for FF’s than the public due to the contents of
today’s fires.
d) Can help long-term health.
5. Traffic accident support, pre-warning and traffic blocker on highway scenes.
6. Fire scene support (transport extra personnel).
7. Currently have space in the fire station for the truck.
Issue:
Should old brush truck be kept and used as a utility vehicle or sold ?
Proposal Details:
Keep old brush 5175 and convert it to a utility/command vehicle.
The conversion would consist of:
a) Removing the pump/tank unit (sell at auction).
b) Installing a soft bed cover to allow the truck to be locked when needed.
c) Adding the Utility-1 ID to the truck
Fiscal Impact:
Currently Old Brush 5175 at auction could bring up to $12,000 depending on market.
If we sell the pump/tank unit separate could get up to $2,500.
To replace with a new truck would cost about $65,000
Options:
Option 1: Keep old brush truck 5175 Convert to Utility 1 and sell pump/tank skid unit
Option 2: Purchase new utility/command truck
Option 3: Sell brush 5175 and not create a utility/command unit
Recommendation:
Option 1