To: Board of Supervisors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Purchase of Two Type 3 Wildland Firefighting Engines
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the governing board of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute a contract with Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc., for the manufacture and sale of two Type 3 wildland firefighting engines, in an amount not to exceed $1,250,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Budgeted from the CCCFPD General Operating Fund.
The apparatus will be acquired using the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) cooperative purchasing program. The vehicles are priced at $549,742 each, for a total purchase price of $1,099,484, including sales tax. Once the annexation of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District is complete, one Type 3 engine will be assigned to the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District’s response area. Following the anticipated July 1, 2025 annexation, savings from reduced costs of operating Fire Station 75 & 76 in FY25-26 will provide funds to be transferred to the District’s fund balance to recover the cost of the purchase of one engine. Should the annexation not occur, the engine will be utilized within the current CCCFPD fleet and funds from the District’s General Operating Fund Balance will be used to cover the cost of acquiring the apparatus.
The second engine will be purchased using the District’s General Operating Fund Balance. A budget amendment is included as a separate item for the Board’s consideration and approval. The total purchasing authority of $1,250,000 consists of an additional $150,516 for contingencies, above the net purchase price.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) fights wildfires as part of its primary fire protection mission. The apparatus used for fighting wildland fires is specialized and requires a configuration and specifications not standard to the typical municipal fire department pumper. The apparatus requires four-wheel drive, the ability to carry a supply of specialized wildland firefighting equipment, and interior seating capacity for up to four firefighters.
The District’s annexation of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District and the contract for service with the City of Pinole have expanded its area of service. The pending annexation of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District will continue that expansion. Staff recommends purchasing two units as part of the HGAC Cooperative Purchasing program. This system allows local government agencies to procure goods and services already competitively bid and awarded.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a maximum of 15 years of frontline service for these types of apparatus. The Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District has two Type 3 engines built in 2006 and 2008 and they are overdue for replacement.
Acquiring two Type 3 engines will positively impact District operations and public safety. Investing in the District’s wildland fleet will allow the District to have modern, more reliable equipment to replace aging apparatus and supplement our current fleet. This will enable the district to serve its expanded service area better.
The purchase contract contains an indemnification provision from the District to Golden State Fire Apparatus.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without approval, the District must identify alternate means to acquire the new apparatus. The current age and condition of the fleet will continue to deteriorate and negatively impact the District’s ability to provide safe, reliable, and effective emergency response. Delaying this purchase will lead to future cost increases and a potential loss of critical coverage if the apparatus is taken out of service due to maintenance and repair.