The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) maintains a fleet of both front line and reserve fire apparatus. As new engines are added to the fleet, older engines are moved to reserve status and eventually declared surplus as they reach end of life. The District has a replacement schedule in place and has multiple apparatus on order. Since the pandemic, apparatus acquisition has become challenging. The supply chain issues and labor shortages have caused manufacturers to experience significant delays in delivery times, and in some cases, several months beyond the original scheduled delivery.
In recent months several new station openings have been announced, some related to Measure X, and others have been planned. These station openings have put additional pressure on the front line apparatus needs in addition to scheduled replacements. This, coupled with delays, have caused District staff to identify and secure a stock apparatus that can be delivered immediately. The acquisition of this stock apparatus will allow the district to put new apparatus in service without the 18 month manufacturing process, reducing pressure on the fleet. This action will appropriate fund balance reserves for the purhcase of a Type I fire engine. A separate board action is being presented today for authorization to enter into a purchase agreement for this apparatus. The appartus purchased through this action is complete and can be delivered upon payment. It is anticipated that this appartus will be put into front line service this summer.
The District would not be able to acquire this apparatus.