COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
SUBJECT:
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Purchase a demo fire engine from Sutphen
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DEPARTMENT:
Fire Rescue
SUMMARY:
Edgewater Fire Rescue Department is requesting to purchase a demo fire engine from Sutphen.
Over the past three years, the global supply chain, new regulatory requirements, and manufacturing limitations have caused a backlog of fire apparatus. This backlog has tripled the build times and doubled the price of fire engines.
The City of Edgewater owns three fire engines and staffs two of the units 24/7. Engine 55 was built by Sutphen 3 years ago. Engine 57 was built by Pierce 8 years ago, and our backup engine was built by Pierce 19 years ago. The 19-year-old backup engine is no longer mechanically reliable and is being evaluated for refurbishment or removed from service.
During the review of purchasing a new engine for the 2024/2025 budget, it was discovered just how severe the nationwide backlog had become. After speaking with multiple fire apparatus manufacturers over the last six months, the build times continue to increase. The estimated build time for a custom engine is now 3 to 4 years from the time of purchase.
Because of the continued decline of our backup engine, Edgewater Fire Rescue has been working with two primary fire apparatus manufacturers for a solution to our need for a fire engine. Sutphen notified us of a demo unit already in production that is very similar to our current Sutphen. The anticipated delivery date for this demo unit is November of next year. Because the unit is designated as a demo unit, Sutphen would take the unit to trade shows for approximately 30 days before delivering the unit to the City of Edgewater.
The Fire Chief and his staff have reviewed the spec sheets and confirmed the demo unit would be appropriate and fit the requirements of Edgewater Fire Rescue.
Sutphen has not released the total price for the demo unit, as the unit has not been officially made available for purchase at the time of this ...
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