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Mesa council hears replacement plan for Falcon Field aircraft rescue truck; city provides ARFF despite non‑commercial status
Summary
Council members asked whether the ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) truck on Falcon Field is being replaced; fire and city staff said the Falcon Field ARFF has been in service about 15 years, the city chose to provide ARFF at Falcon although not required, and Gateway's ARFF is subsidized by the FAA/airport.
Councilmember Pillsbury asked whether an aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) truck up for procurement was a replacement for the unit at Falcon Field.
Fire and city staff explained that both Falcon Field and Gateway Airport have ARFF trucks. "This truck has been in service for 15 years, and that is an extended period of time for an ARFF truck generally," a fire department speaker said, adding that frontline apparatus typically serve 15 years and then move to reserve status. Staff said the Gateway ARFF is more recently replaced, "I think we replaced that one in the last Gateway 7 or 8 years, I wanna say," and that the Gateway replacement is subsidized by the Federal Aviation Administration and paid for by the airport.
Staff also noted Falcon Field is not a commercial service airport and does not strictly require ARFF by regulation, but the city chose to provide a higher level of service there because of operational needs.
No formal procurement award was recorded during the study session; staff discussed sales tax treatment related to procurement and noted vendors are credited for local sales tax when purchases are point‑of‑sale within Phoenix or Mesa.
