Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Advance the purchase one (1) Sutphen SPH 100’ Aerial Platform Ladder Truck.
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Fiscal Impact:
Not to exceed $2,250,000 in the Fire Rescue Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget.
Dept/Office:
Public Safety Group: Fire Rescue Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Request the Board of County Commissioners approve the advanced purchase of one (1) Sutphen 100-foot Aerial Platform Ladder Truck and authorize the County Manager to approve Budget Change Requests (BCRs) and other administrative actions required to complete the purchase as necessary.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Part of Fire Rescue’s multiyear capital replacement plan to meet operational needs includes the addition of an aerial platform ladder truck. Funding for this apparatus was approved by the Board on May 20, 2025, as part of the FY 2025-26 fire assessment rate adjustment when the department identified required capital purchases over the next 7 years. The purchase is included in the Fire Rescue FY 2025-26 budget request, which is currently pending Board approval.
The industry standard for current estimated build and delivery time for aerial platform ladder trucks is thirty-six months. Under the current plan, the department could expect delivery October 2028. Staff was recently notified that the current vendor of record, Sutphen, has an aerial platform ladder truck in active production, scheduled for completion in September 2026. Approval to advance the purchase of the vehicle into the current fiscal year will secure an earlier delivery date, mitigate the risk of manufacturing delays, and lock in the vendor’s current pricing, avoiding an expected 5% increase (approximately $110,000) effective October 1, 2025.
Fire Rescue seeks Board approval to advance the purchasing process for the available Sutphen vehicle into the current fiscal year, FY 2024-25. The Sutphen SPH 100’ Aerial Platform Ladder Truck meets the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: