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Council approves purchase and custom build for Richmond Volunteer Fire Department Rescue 1
Summary
The Richmond City Council authorized purchase of a cab and chassis through the state purchasing program and approved a custom aluminum rescue body build, totaling two vendor contracts; funds were included in the FY2025–26 fire department budget.
The Richmond City Council authorized two purchases to acquire a new Rescue 1 vehicle for the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department at its July 21 meeting.
Staff said the cab and chassis will be purchased through the state of Michigan purchasing program via LaFontaine CDJR of Lansing for $53,358. The chassis will ship from the factory to a dealer in Iowa and then be delivered to AlumiLine Incorporated (trade name in packet “Illumiline/AlumiLine”) for installation of a custom aluminum rescue body. Fire Department staff requested a waiver of standard purchasing rules for the custom body and the council approved a $48,985 quote to AlumiLine.
Joel, project coordinator and lieutenant for the fire department, told council he and the department researched vendors and selected the custom builder based on experience with similar installations and cost savings from cutting out a middleman. City staff said funds for the purchase were included in the department’s FY2025–26 budget and the expenses will be charged to the fire fund equipment acquisition line.
Council approved the LaFontaine purchase order and then moved to waive normal purchasing requirements to contract with AlumiLine; the latter motion passed with a recorded roll call in favor. Councilors voting yes on the AlumiLine waiver included (as recorded) Mr. Ravitch, Yelenich, Ricks, Allen, Warren and Lafore.
Why it matters: Council approval completes the procurement steps needed to replace or update Rescue 1 with a custom rescue body tailored to the department’s equipment needs. Staff said the approach saved the city money compared with other procurement routes.
Next steps: The chassis will be ordered through the state program; the rescue body install will proceed through AlumiLine, after which the vehicle will be placed into service by the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department.
