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FEMS says apparatus backlogs stretch years; council presses on fireboat RFP and fleet facility funding
Summary
FEMS officials said purchase orders and deliveries for ambulances, tower trucks and engines date back to FY22, with critical parts and manufacturer delays. Council members pressed for use‑of‑funds protections for a $25 million fireboat appropriation and sought clarity on the new fleet maintenance facility design and funding timeline.
Assistant Chief Gary Steen and procurement leads told the committee the department has requisitions for 38 ambulances, 4 tower trucks and 18 pumpers in procurement and purchase orders waiting delivery that include 51 ambulances, 10 tractor‑drawn aerials and 16 engines. Steen said some purchase orders date back as far as FY22 and that long PO lead times (12–18 months) and manufacturer capacity are major constraints.
Councilmembers pressed on a $25 million line in the budget for a replacement fireboat after a design contract was withdrawn for technical procurement compliance. Chief Donnelly said OCP is reworking the procurement approach (moving to a design‑build model) and cautioned realistic replacement timelines of roughly 34–48 months from design start to delivery. On fleet maintenance, FEMS said the new fleet facility design is complete and excavation has started; however some capital phases remain unfunded for full buildout, and the department asked the council to prioritize out‑year capital funding.
