Council approves purchase of new fire engine; chief says 1998 engine is beyond NFPA replacement guidance

The City Council voted 5-0 to authorize the acquisition of a new fire engine and associated loose equipment through Conrad Fire Equipment/Pierce Manufacturing in an amount not to exceed $1,142,996.43.

Fire Chief Chad Russell told council the apparatus being replaced is a 1998 Central States engine that is 27 years old. He cited National Fire Protection Association guidance that apparatus older than 15 years should be considered for replacement and vehicles older than 20 years should be retired. Russell said the older engine is "tired" and no longer reliably serves fire calls; the department previously rebuilt a transmission on the 1998 apparatus but the unit is past recommended service life.

The recommended replacement uses a cooperative purchase via the HGAC (Houston-Galveston Area Council) contract to meet competitive-bid requirements. Russell said that using that cooperative procurement shortens delivery time relative to a fully custom-built apparatus (which can take multiple years post-specification) and that delivery is expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Russell said the department will reassign the 2007 Pierce to Station 3 and use the new apparatus in frontline service. Council discussed options for the retired 1998 unit; Russell said the city will study whether to sell it, transfer/donate it to a smaller department, or place it for sale — he estimated a current market value around $40,000 but said he would bring a later recommendation once the fleet plan is finalized.

Council approved the purchase and directed staff to finalize financing via an RFP for lease/financing terms closer to delivery.