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Fire department outlines equipment and vehicle replacement priorities, flags lease risks
Summary
The department presented a five-year equipment plan prioritizing Lucas devices, cardiac monitors, thermal cameras and engine replacement; staff warned that missed lease payments could put ambulances and monitors at risk.
Fire department representatives told the board they prioritized life-safety equipment and vehicle replacement in their CIP, highlighting specific items and timing.
The presenter said engine refurbishment is typically addressed around 15 years with replacement near 25 years and recommended selling or repurposing a rescue vehicle to fund replacement of Engine 3. “I would recommend getting rid of the rescue because we're not using it for what it's designed for and use that money when we sell it to replace engine 3,” the presenter said (S4).
He also listed high-priority equipment that should come from emergency / safety reserves: Lucas devices and cardiac monitors (critical to ambulance operations), and thermal imaging cameras (the department has one and should have three). The presenter warned that lease-purchase payments for the ambulance and cardiac monitors must be maintained: failing to do so could mean losing an ambulance and cardiac monitors, which would affect service delivery.
Board members discussed funding options, including using specific capital reserve accounts and ensuring warrant-article language accommodates necessary expenditures. The board asked staff to provide the CIP pages that list replacement years and cost ranges so trustees and the board can align investment and reserve strategies.
The board did not vote on equipment purchases; members asked for more detailed cost and timing figures and for a plan to ensure critical lease payments are covered if funds are moved between accounts.
