Commissioners approve fire department apparatus purchases and authorize resale negotiations for mini-pumpers after review of contract misfit
January 07, 2025 | Teton County, Wyoming
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Teton County commissioners approved three items for Fire/EMS equipment and fleet management following presentations from Fire Chief Mike Moyer: the purchase of a high‑pressure breathing air compressor and SCBA fill station, the purchase of a Type 1 ambulance, and authorization to complete final payment on two mini attack pumpers with direction to negotiate resale.
What passed
- Awarded bid for an Arctic high‑pressure breathing air compressor and SCBA fill station to L. N. Curtis & Sons Inc. for $57,500. The unit will be used to fill firefighters’ air cylinders.
- Awarded bid for a Braun Northwest Type 1 ambulance in the amount of $292,217; chief explained delivery is long lead (approx. 540 days) and the purchase is included in capital planning with payment to occur in the next fiscal year.
- Approved final payment of $757,952 for contractual commitments on two mini attack pumpers and authorized staff (fire, EMS, legal) to negotiate resale with W. S. Darley Company to mitigate losses and remove vehicles the department found operationally unsuitable.
Why the resale: Chief Moyer explained the mini attack pumpers, ordered under a prior leadership decision, do not meet local operational needs: limited water and storage capacity, maintenance complexity and crew training requirements would make them ancillary pieces rather than replacements for existing engines. The department recommended final payment (to satisfy contractual obligations) and resale rather than putting the vehicles into service.
Public and board reaction: Commissioners expressed appreciation for candid staff review of a contractual misfit and emphasized the need to avoid “chasing sunk costs.” Members commended the fire leadership for moving pragmatically to minimize future operational burden; the board approved the final payment and resale authorization unanimously. The ambulance and compressor awards also passed unanimously.
Next steps: Fire staff will finalize procurement paperwork, manage budget timing for the ambulance delivery in the next fiscal year, and open resale negotiations for the two mini attack pumpers with Darley or other buyers/brokers as directed.
What passed
- Awarded bid for an Arctic high‑pressure breathing air compressor and SCBA fill station to L. N. Curtis & Sons Inc. for $57,500. The unit will be used to fill firefighters’ air cylinders.
- Awarded bid for a Braun Northwest Type 1 ambulance in the amount of $292,217; chief explained delivery is long lead (approx. 540 days) and the purchase is included in capital planning with payment to occur in the next fiscal year.
- Approved final payment of $757,952 for contractual commitments on two mini attack pumpers and authorized staff (fire, EMS, legal) to negotiate resale with W. S. Darley Company to mitigate losses and remove vehicles the department found operationally unsuitable.
Why the resale: Chief Moyer explained the mini attack pumpers, ordered under a prior leadership decision, do not meet local operational needs: limited water and storage capacity, maintenance complexity and crew training requirements would make them ancillary pieces rather than replacements for existing engines. The department recommended final payment (to satisfy contractual obligations) and resale rather than putting the vehicles into service.
Public and board reaction: Commissioners expressed appreciation for candid staff review of a contractual misfit and emphasized the need to avoid “chasing sunk costs.” Members commended the fire leadership for moving pragmatically to minimize future operational burden; the board approved the final payment and resale authorization unanimously. The ambulance and compressor awards also passed unanimously.
Next steps: Fire staff will finalize procurement paperwork, manage budget timing for the ambulance delivery in the next fiscal year, and open resale negotiations for the two mini attack pumpers with Darley or other buyers/brokers as directed.
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