Approve the purchase of two (2) new fire engines from Custom Fire Apparatus Inc. through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement and the NFPA required loose equipment from regional vendors for $2,541,536.86.

The Fire Department currently has three (3) fire engines. Fire Engine #3 was purchased in 2006 and is due for replacement in 2026, as defined by the city Vehicle Acquisition, Use, and Replacement Policy. In 2023, the fire department began a reorganization of the Type C (heavy duty) apparatus in the fleet to better align with anticipated future staffing and response needs. A 2005 ladder truck and a 2007 heavy rescue were declared surplus, sold, and not replaced as planned in the vehicle replacement policy and CIP to allow for future adjustments in the fire department fleet.

Due to current build times of 27-50 months for large fire apparatus, staff recommends ordering two new rescue/pumper-style fire engines to arrive in late 2026. The new fire engines will replace the 2006 Fire Engine due for replacement in 2026 and allow for the downsizing of a 2010 heavy rescue, also due for replacement in 2026, to a Type B (medium duty) apparatus. This recommendation will place a 2026 fire engine as a front-line apparatus at each fire station and a 2017 fire engine as a backup apparatus at each fire station. The 2017 fire engines will continue to be used by all-call crews for significant incidents, simultaneous incidents, training, and pub-ed events. They will also operate as front-line apparatus when the 2026 fire engines are down for maintenance.

The number of fire engines will increase from three (3) to four (4). However, the total number of Type C (heavy duty) apparatus in the fire department fleet will decrease from eight in 2023 to six in 2026.

In the summer of 2023, staff invited multiple fire apparatus dealers and manufacturers to demo their apparatus in Shakopee. Many dealers and manufacturers participated in the demos over several months, and the vendors included regional and national options. Apparatus included a variety of engines and chassis types, including an all-electric engine from a local vendor. Staff evaluated the chassis, construction quality, available options, new features, and build times for the apparatus.

In the fall of 2023, staff visited area departments to evaluate engines that those organizations had recently purchased. Staff focused on departments with smaller daily staffing sizes and response needs reflective of Shakopee’s new staffing model to discuss challenges and solutions to equipment storage needs, apparatus functions, vendor quality, service, and overall experiences.

In the winter of 2023, staff began working with vendors interested in our needs who could meet price, build time, durability, and function criteria. Two vendors were selected that could meet these criteria. Both vendors utilize the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Agreement. The use of Sourcewell satisfies requirements for purchasing under state law and the City purchasing policy.

Staff worked with each vendor to evaluate standard chassis and compartment options that could be configured to meet the current and future needs of the organization. Through multiple meetings with both vendors and several bid revisions, staff recommends the following:

1.      Award the contract to Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc. of Osceola, WI, for Two (2) Sourcewell side mount fire engines to include: Sutphen Monarch Chassis, Waterous 1500-GPM pump, Foam delivery system, stainless steel body and pump module, tubular stainless-steel substructure with a lifetime warranty, and LED scene lighting.

2.      Purchase National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) required equipment and replacement equipment from local and regional vendors to be carried on each apparatus, including two sets of vehicle extrication equipment consisting of a high-strength spreader, cutter, and ram, stabilization struts, fire hose for water supply and fire attack, hand tools such as axes, pry bars, and overhaul hooks, battery operated fans and power tools, and firefighter safety equipment.

Summary and cost of recommendation:

1.      Purchase two (2) fire engines from Custom Fire Apparatus Inc. through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement. ($2,340,774.86)

2.      Purchase NFPA-required equipment and replacement equipment for both fire engines through local and regional dealers. ($200,762.00)

The total cost of this recommendation is $2,541,536.86.

The staff recommendation is below the amount included in the 2026 CIP.