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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date: 1/22/2024 Item No.: 7.b. Department Approval City Manager Approval Item Description: Consider the purchase of an Electric Vehicle Fire Engine or Diesel Fire Engine 1 2 Background 3 The fire department has a 15-year replacement schedule for fire engines. This is consistent with best 4 practices for communities as busy as our organization as it allows for five years in a “first out” capacity, 5 five years as a back-up engine, and five years in reserve. The most recent engine replacement occurred 6 in 2020; a conventional diesel engine from Rosenbauer was purchased. The Fire Department is at a 7 point to replace our oldest engine (2010) and transition the 2020 and 2015 engines to the back-up and 8 reserve status. In 2023, staff discussed the possibility of purchasing an Electric Vehicle (EV) Fire Engine 9 instead of a traditional Diesel Fire Engine. 10 11 As it is now time to make a decision on what type of fire engine to purchase due to the construction 12 timeframe of 14 – 19 months for an EV Fire Engine and 16-24 months for a Diesel Fire Engine, staff is 13 asking the City Council to make a decision on which type of fire engine to purchase. 14 15 As the City Council will recall, the Fire Department presented information in summer 2023 about a 16 potential purchase of an EV Fire Engine. The benefits of an EV Fire Engine are as follows: 17 Environmentally-friendly and sustainable vehicle that falls in line with City goals 18 Reduced noise in the cab, allowing for improved communications while responding to an 19 emergency. 20 Ergonomically enhanced design in the cab and compartments to reduce firefighter injuries. 21 A reduction of operational costs due to fuel, oil changes, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)/emissions 22 systems and drive train repairs and maintenance. 23 Local manufacturer to allow for prompt service and after-sale support. 24 Extended warranty coverage: 5-years bumper to bumper and available 10-year battery 25 warranty. 26 27 The EV Fire Engine produces many benefits and enhancements over the existing diesel engine, as 28 detailed above. One of the most critical is an EV Fire Engine would extend the life of the engine from a 29 five-year first out and a 15-year replacement schedule to a 10-year first out and a 20-year replacement, 30 potentially making this apparatus option less expensive over a 20-year CIP. 31 32 In Summer 2023, a demonstration of an EV Fire Engine was brought to the fire station to allow City 33 Leadership and City Council to assess, ask questions, and ride in it in an effort to provide feedback. 34 Overall, the experience brought about positive feedback on its operational use and benefits. 35 36 In November 2023, under the direction of City Council, Fire Chief Brosnahan presented and discussed Page 1 of 3 Qbhf!9!pg!219