Vacaville City Council Discusses State of Fire Department Fleet
On September 10th, 2024, Director of Public Works Brian McLean presented a detailed report to the Vacaville City Council, addressing the state of the city’s fleet, particularly the fire department’s equipment.
The fleet was significantly impacted by the Great Recession of 2007-2009, leading to the creation of a Fleet Lifecycle Report in 2013. This data-driven report has helped guide resource allocation and fleet replacements through a 10-year funding plan, updated annually. While 42% of the city’s fleet required replacement in 2013, this figure has decreased to 20% in 2024, now aligning with industry norms.
Fire apparatus costs have risen sharply, with a fire engine’s price jumping from $700,000 pre-2020 to $1.2 million today. Delivery times for new engines have also increased from 18 months to over 45 months. To address these issues, Public Works contracted Matrix Consulting Group in 2023 to assess the fire department’s fleet. The findings showed that the fire fleet, consisting of 60 units, was appropriately sized, but 12 units were beyond their lifecycle.
The report recommended replacing seven critical units, five of which have already been ordered, including three ambulances, a Type 1 engine, and an aerial truck. The total cost for these five vehicles was $4.5 million. Two additional vehicles will be funded by the Lagoon Valley Development builder, with expected delivery by mid-October and next year.
McLean outlined a plan for smoothing fire equipment purchases over time, noting that there is still a funding gap of $3.3 million. Additionally, a new Fleet Management Information System is being procured, with implementation expected to improve fleet oversight.
During the discussion, Mayor John Carli raised concerns about rising costs and stagnant funding, saying, “If we are chasing expenses that are half a million dollars more today, that $2.3 million won’t get us there.” He also expressed frustration with the four-year wait time for fire engine deliveries, calling it “absurd.”
Fire Chief Kris Concepcion suggested purchasing used fire trucks as a potential short-term solution, while Councilmember Roy Stockton explored the idea of “re-boxing” ambulances as another cost-saving measure.
Despite the challenges, McLean assured the council that no safety vehicles would go into service with unresolved safety concerns.
You can watch the full City Council meeting here.
