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Long Beach Fire Commission begins planning for replacement of aging pumper amid long lead times
Summary
The Long Beach Fire Commission discussed advancing specifications and financing options for a replacement pumper after staff warned Engine 2 is nearing NFPA end‑of‑life and supply‑chain delays can push delivery 18–24 months or longer.
The Long Beach Fire Commission opened its June 18 meeting with staff urging the commission to begin long‑range planning for a replacement pumper, citing equipment age and multi‑year delivery timelines.
The department representative said Engine 1 is about 22–23 years old and Engine 2 is approaching what the department called NFPA "end of life," and asked the commission to consider specifications and financing now because manufacturers face long lead times. "The last fire truck took us more than three years from the moment when we agreed to go forward to actually getting delivery," the representative said, adding vendors now estimate 18 to 24 months under some programs but warned contractors have previously extended schedules.
The commission discussed options including purchasing a used pumper as a stopgap. One commissioner suggested searching the secondary market for a 10‑year‑old unit; staff and other commissioners cautioned that used trucks are scarce and often carry hidden maintenance challenges. "Problem with used firet trucks is it means someone else doesn't want," a participant said. Staff and a vendor inspector said replacement parts for older models can be difficult to obtain: "We can barely find repair parts for you. Repair we need to," a service technician told the commission.
Staff also raised the department's ongoing ISO rating review and said modernizing apparatus would likely help the department's rating, which affects insurance and community risk profiles. The commission flagged financing as a separate task; staff said they will research options including using a previous fire service fee that appeared on water bills and bring back budget implications for consideration.
The commission did not take formal action; staff will solicit vendor quotes and return with cost and financing scenarios. The department emphasized that beginning specifications now is necessary to avoid further delay given current lead times.
