Sedgwick County Fire Chief Doug Williams said inaccurate bid-board data and a history of engine failures underpin the department’s request to replace several staff vehicles.

Williams told commissioners that when staff pulled mileage data for two units listed on the bid board it reflected year‑old information; the vehicles were recorded at about 137,851 and 149,972 miles, not the lower figures originally posted. "The mileage and the points that were submitted in the bid board were not correct," he said.

Why it matters: commissioners are weighing routine fleet replacement against fuel, maintenance and acquisition costs. Williams said the department’s mechanics have repeatedly encountered camshaft and lifter failures on a particular engine family and cited local repair history as evidence. "I don't think we wanna save $872 on a vehicle and have a $10,000 engine change in a few years," he said.

Williams and staff described how investigators and inspectors perform multiple roles — hauling equipment, working on rural dirt roads and sometimes transporting crews — arguing those operational demands favor crew‑cab, heavier‑frame pickups over smaller, lower‑spec vehicles. He said some vehicles are used to pull the fire‑prevention trailer and to carry photographic and drone equipment that needs protection from dust and weather.

Commissioners pressed for clarity on the technical spec. One commissioner questioned why the spec specified displacement (a 6.6‑liter minimum) rather than performance measures such as horsepower or towing capacity. Williams replied the 6.6‑liter requirement was a minimum and that vendors could bid larger or equivalent engines; he also said the parts shop had ordered at least 25 of the specific parts kits related to the failure over the years.

On costs and operations: Williams said a camshaft/lifter overhaul runs about three days of labor and roughly $10,000 in parts, and that routinely downgrading vehicles can leave staff without the tools they need on scene. "If they don't have it, it's worthless," he said, describing emergency work where immediate access to equipment matters.

What’s next: commissioners paused the County agenda to hear the briefing and indicated the truck bid item will be returned to the agenda for a formal vote at the next scheduled meeting. No formal motion or vote was recorded during the briefing.

Speakers quoted: Doug Williams, Fire Chief; (Commissioner questions and staff clarifications are paraphrased where not directly quoted).