To: Board of Directors
From: Lewis Broschard, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
Report Title: Golden State Fire Apparatus Purchase Contract for One (1) BME Fire Trucks International MV 609 Crew Carrier Vehicle
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Fire Chief, or designee, to execute a purchase contract with Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $561,110 for the manufacture and purchase of one (1) Emergency Crew Transport (ECT) vehicle.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% CCCFPD General Operating Fund.
The apparatus will be purchased through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) cooperative purchasing program. The purchase price of $561,110 includes a $25,000 contingency and a $23,628 prepayment discount, which applies if payment is made within thirty (30) days of the date of agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) is responsible for fighting wildland fires as a core part of its mission. The ECT vehicle is a specialized unit used by our wildland handcrew (Crew 12), designed to carry a ten-person crew (2 in the cab, 8 in the body) and their gear to emergency scenes. This 4x4 vehicle is built for tough wildland terrains.
The interior is optimized for firefighter health and safety, including:
• Climate Control: A high-capacity system with a 45,000 BTU/HR evaporator and 60,000 BTU/HR condenser to reduce heat exhaustion.
• Storage: Eight (8) personal locking storage compartments and 146-inch overhead gear storage areas.
• Safety Lighting: A comprehensive Whelen LED warning light package and a 36-inch Traffic Advisor for scene safety
Crew 12 currently operates a fleet of four Emergency Crew Transports, two of which are nearing the end of their reliable service life. These include a 2006 International (20 years old) donated by San Bernardino County Fire, and a 2002 International (24 years old) with 183,735 miles, originally acquired through the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program. These aging units served our program well as we transitioned from start-up to a sustained operation. However, they no longer meet current reliability standards for frontline emergency response.
The District's hand crew (Crew 12) plays a crucial role in fire suppression and "mop-up" operations, enabling engine companies to quickly return to service. As state-level hand crews become less available, maintaining a modern, reliable District fleet is vital for protecting the larger service area. The estimated manufacturing lead time for this unit is 36 months.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without approval, the District must identify alternate means to acquire a new Emergency Crew Transport. The current age and condition of the fleet will continue to deteriorate and impact the District’s ability to provide reliable and effective emergency response. Delaying this purchase will lead to higher future costs.