The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (District) is charged with fighting wildland fires as part of its primary mission of providing fire protection. The apparatus used for fighting wildland fires is specialized and requires a configuration and specifications not common to the typical municipal fire department pumper. The apparatus used for fighting wildland fires require four wheel drive, a short wheel base, the ability to carry a supply of specialized wildland firefighting equipment, and interior seating capacity for up to four firefighters. The most common type of apparatus used throughout the State of California by agencies like the District is referred to as a Type III Engine.
The District currently operates a fleet of ten (10) Type III Engines. Until recently, the District operated a fleet of twelve (12) Type III Engines; however, two (2) of these units were taken out of service for mechanical obsolescence and safety concerns. These two units were manufactured in 1981 and were over 33 years old when taken out of front-line service. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a maximum of 15 years for front-line service for these types of apparatus.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has developed specifications for their Type III Engines that are suitable for the needs of our agency in carrying out the control and suppression of wildland fires. We selected a Cal Fire designed Type III Engine and recommend purchasing two of these units as part of the State of California, Department of General Services (GSA) contract California Multiple Award System (CMAS). This system allows local government agencies to procure goods and services under the State bid and contract award process.
With the current drought conditions and the reduction of the District's wildland firefighting resources, the prompt acquisition of two engines will have a positive impact on District operations and public safety. Because these engines are built by the vendor supplying Cal Fire’s apparatus needs, there are units ready to be shipped with no production or build time required. The engines can be delivered and on site within one week of the vendor receiving our purchase order and will be in service and ready to serve the District in a matter of weeks, giving us the necessary tools and equipment to deal with the current fire conditions in our County.
The District recently received a larger than anticipated end of year distribution from the redevelopment property tax trust funds. That revenue adjustment will be used to fund this purchase. The per unit cost of the engines will not exceed $277,500, including sales tax, and is approximately $60,000 cheaper than a custom built Type III Engine available through the next lowest available vendor.
Failing to acquire the two engines would result in a continued reduction of the District's Type III Engine fleet and wildland firefighting capacity as California faces the worst drought condition in recorded history and what is anticipated to be a very busy fire season.