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Council approves $3.8 million in fire-apparatus purchases amid long lead times
Summary
The City of Casa Grande approved two resolutions to buy a 2029 Pierce ladder truck ($2,400,000) and a 2029 Pierce pumper ($1,432,894). The fire chief warned of 28–33 month lead times and staff said purchases are funded through vehicle replacement and development-impact funds.
The Casa Grande City Council on May 18 voted unanimously to approve two resolutions authorizing purchases from Hughes Fire Equipment for new firefighting apparatus.
The council approved Resolution 5911 to buy a 2029 Pierce Velocity ladder truck for $2,400,000 and Resolution 5912 to buy a 2029 Pierce pumper at about $1,432,894. Both purchases use a Sourcewell contract and were described by the city's Fire Chief as part of the vehicle-replacement program and funded through the city’s vehicle replacement account and development-impact funds for the pumper.
The Fire Chief told the council that the ladder truck has a 33-month lead time and the pumper about 28 months. "This particular lead time on this ladder truck is 33 months," the Fire Chief said, adding that once an apparatus reaches the factory queue it typically takes "about 8 or 9 months" to be built. He explained those delays are industry wide and that the Sourcewell contract used for the purchases runs through 2029.
Council members asked whether prepayment or other methods could shorten the wait. Staff said prepayment was considered in the past and that, given current multi‑year lead times and financial tradeoffs, prepayment was not advisable. The chief said departments can occasionally move up in the queue if another buyer drops out, but there is no guaranteed way to jump ahead.
Both resolutions were moved, seconded and passed on roll call with the named council members voting 'Yes.' The approvals authorize execution of contracts or purchase orders with Hughes Fire Equipment for the specified Pierce apparatus. The council did not identify any amendments to the contracts during the vote.
The council record shows the city will continue to coordinate final specifications and delivery timing with the vendor and noted the existing 2007 ladder truck has been taken out of frontline service.
