Title
Ordinance No. 15-72 amending Ordinance No. 14-101 (2015 Appropriation Ordinance) for the purchase of replacement fire apparatus.
Body
From:
Christopher P. Riley, Fire Chief
Summary:
The proposed ordinance would appropriate insurance monies received from the damage sustained to a fire truck toward the purchase of a replacement fire apparatus.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) maintains a fleet of over 100 vehicles consisting of front line apparatus, reserve apparatus, utility and staff vehicles, and auxiliary equipment. Annual budgeted dollars are used to maximize the refurbishment and replacement of the fleet, thereby extending their useful life. The CSFD has the following front line apparatus: 21 engines, 6 ladder trucks, 1 rescue truck, 2 hazardous materials trucks, and 3 medical squads. To augment the front line apparatus, the CSFD also has four reserve engines, one reserve truck, one reserve rescue truck and four reserve medical squads.
On January 10, 2015, a 1994 reserve ladder truck was involved in a rollover accident due to severe weather conditions. Fortunately, no personnel were injured in this accident; however, the fire truck sustained major damage and was considered a total loss by the City’s insurance company. The apparatus involved was one of two reserve ladder trucks in the fire fleet at the time.
Upon successful negotiations between the insurance company, the City Risk Manager, and the Fire Department Fleet Supervisor, the Fire Department received an unprecedented settlement check of $657,964. The CSFD is requesting to use the insurance money along with budgeted apparatus replacement money to purchase a replacement for the reserve ladder truck that was involved in the accident. Reserve apparatus are critical to the ongoing mission readiness of the CSFD. These reserves are used for short durations, i.e. when routine maintenance is being performed on front line equipment and when more extensive repairs are needed. The use of reserve apparatus as front line equipment on a daily basis is not operationally prudent. Therefore, approving the appropriation ordinance will allow the CSFD to purchase the apparatus to maintain its fleet at the necessary and appropriate level.
Financial Implications:
Appropriation of the insurance money will allow the CSFD to leverage budgeted dollars for the replacement of a reserve ladder truck that was irreparably damaged in an accident. The estimated cost for this replacement apparatus is $800,000.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Council could choose not to appropriate the funds. This would require the Fire Department to operate only one reserve ladder truck, greatly reducing the response readiness of its fleet.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Recommend approval of attached appropriation ordinance
Ordinance Language
An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 14-101 (2015 Appropriation Ordinance) for a supplemental appropriation to the general fund in the amount of $657,964 for the purchase of a replacement fire apparatus.