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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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A LITLE BIT OF HEAT ON NEW FIRE ENGINE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IS $400,000 Councilmembers, staff, and some members of the Victoria Fire Department talked and listened long and hard on June 13th about the upcoming possible purchase of a new fire engine (Engine 13) for the City of Victoria at an anticipated cost ranging from $375,000 to $450,000. No official decisions were made at this time. As Firefighter Brian Pulvermacher stated, "The intent tonight is to make sure we're aligned with the city council." City Administrator Don Uram announced that members of the Apparatus Committee and some officers of the Victoria Fire Department were in attendance at the council meeting. They were introduced by Brian Pulvermacher. Committee members include Firefighters Rick Leuthner, Clint Matvick, Laura Wood, and Jon Wongdock who was not able to attend. Officer representatives included Andrew Heger, Aaron Jurek, and Chief Tim Walsh who was also unable to attend. "The Committee reviewed department needs and developed truck specifications," said Brian. He identified objectives of the meeting that night: to review and recommend. He outlined future steps which include reviewing specifications and approving a purchase order. Guiding principles center on safety of the firefighters and the community, trying to get the best value for Victoria residents. He identified current assets of the Victoria Fire Department: Engine 12 (27 years old), Engine 11 (19 years old), Tanker 11, Tanker 12, Rescue 11, Utility 11 (36 years old), plus grass and boat rigs. He reported that average response time of the Victoria Fire Department is 5 to 6 minutes per incident. Mutual aid response time is 12 to 14 minutes. Mutual aid, he said, is used for larger incidents. Those cities usually involved in mutual aid with Victoria are Waconia, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Excelsior. He said the recommendation of the Apparatus Committee is to order a new fire engine in 2011 and retire Utility 11 which has gas leaks, an exhaust leak, unsecured compartments, is top heavy, the floor is rusted through, and is a safety concern. He listed key decision drivers. Existing Engine 12 is not compliant with NFPA guidelines. Two sources of water are needed (in the event of mutual aid assistance or out for maintenance) and the Department only has one. The Department needs a universal apparatus that could and would function for 98% of all calls. Current engines (at 26 and 19 years of age) are reaching the end of their life. He estimated a 25% increase in calls by the year 2020. He displayed a truck sequence plan: new fire engine in 2011, refurbish Engine 11 in 2012, retire Engine 12 and order Engine 12 replacement in 2017, replace Rescue 11 in 2021, and retire and replace Engine 11 in 2025. He stated, "For the most part, the funding works well for these purchases, as we are receiving $75,000 a year from the city." He summarized, "Engine 13 would support all of our calls. Utility 11 doesn't support many of our calls." In addition to June's goal of continuing review and developing specs, he projected the release of specs for the bidding process in July. August would see the reviewal of bids and obtaining final council approval for a purchase order. Delivery time is approximately a five to seven-month window, arriving some time in 2012. No down payment is required. *** Councilmembers asked questions and made comments after the introductory remarks and presentation by Firefighter Brian Pulvermacher. "How will the construction of Hwy 5 next year affect your response time?" asked Councimember Kim Roden. "Additional communication is planned with surrounding communities," replied Brian. Added Firefighter Andrew Heger, "In the past we've collected addresses that we couldn't respond to and set up agreements with other cities. That's a similar system we'll be looking at." "What steps can you eliminate?" asked Mayor Mary Thun regarding the purchase of Engine 13.
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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July 2011 |
