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Albany rescinds smaller ARFF truck purchase after FAA funding offer, moves to buy two larger Oshkosh ARFF units and a brush truck
Summary
After the FAA determined the airport requires a larger aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle, staff asked the commission to rescind a prior small ARFF purchase and to approve buying two larger Oshkosh Striker units (first unit 95% FAA AIP grant; second locally funded) and a separate Skeeter brush truck for off‑road firefighting.
Airport and public‑safety staff told the commission they are asking to rescind a prior purchase of a smaller ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) vehicle because the Federal Aviation Administration concluded the airport requires a larger apparatus for the types of aircraft operating at the field.
Staff then requested authorization to purchase two Oshkosh Striker ARFF units (quoted at $1,635,000 each for a $3,270,000 total). According to staff, the first unit would be funded through the FAA Airport Improvement Program at 95% with a 5% local match; staff said the second unit would be funded locally. Delivery for the Oshkosh units was estimated at about 20 months from order.
Separately, fire‑department staff described a purpose‑built Skeeter brush truck (a 4x4 brush/lot 550 vehicle) priced at $443,986 to replace an aging off‑road unit. They said the brush truck holds more than 400 gallons (compared with older units that hold about 150 gallons) and is designed to allow single‑operator foam application while remaining in the cab to reduce exposure to hazards.
Commissioners discussed funding lines and confirmed staff will identify whether purchases come from airport accounts, a vehicle‑purchase category in state SPLOST, or other local sources. Staff said one ARFF purchase will be largely grant funded through FAA AIP and that other apparatus purchases will use municipal vehicle‑purchase funds where appropriate.
Next steps: staff will bring final procurement documents and funding‑source confirmations back to the commission and will surplus old units upon delivery of new apparatus.
