Templeton plans purchase of new $1 million fire truck
Special meeting set for tomorrow at 4 p.m.
– The Templeton Community Services District Board of Directors will vote on a budget amendment for purchasing a new Type 1 fire engine at a special meeting on Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. in the TCSD Board Meeting Room at 206 5th Street.
Fire Chief Thomas Peterson will give the staff report recommending the board approve a budget amendment of $552,707.12 to the Fire Fund line item 700000 Type 1 Engine – Deposit. He also recommends authorizing the purchase of a new Type 1 fire engine from South Coast Fire for $1,004,057.12.
The fire capital fund will initially cover the purchase. The USDA will reimburse 75% of the costs, up to $1,000,000, after the engine and equipment are delivered. The net cost to the district is expected to be about $440,000. The fire capital fund currently has an estimated $3,015,638 available.
In 2020, Peterson evaluated all equipment and apparatus, determining the current type 1 engine was at the end of its reliable front-line lifespan. This was confirmed by the 2021 master plan assessment adopted by the board in 2022. The assessment made three determinations: the current type 1 engine is beyond its useful frontline lifespan and is unreliable, the department lacks a reserve type 1 engine, and a new type 1 engine should be acquired with the existing one placed in reserve status.
Templeton Fire has faced reliability issues with engine 7195, the current and only type 1 engine. Over the past three years, the department has spent an average of $40,000 annually on repairs for this engine.
The district submitted community project funding requests through Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office in 2021 and 2022, but the request did not advance. In 2023, Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s office advised that a community project funding request would be considered. The district submitted a request for a new type 1 engine and necessary equipment. The request moved through various stages and was awarded $1,000,000 in congressional funding in March. Staff worked with the USDA to complete necessary paperwork and move forward with the procurement process.
On May 9, the district sent out a notice inviting quotations and received three competitive quotations. The fire and emergency management committee reviewed these on June 19 and recommended moving forward with the lowest quotation from South Coast Fire.
The USDA provided the district with a letter of conditions on July 17, containing various documents and certifications. As of July 29, all necessary conditions have been met. The USDA confirmed that the district may now place the order for the new type 1 engine. The South Coast Fire quotation expires on Aug. 2.
USDA reimbursement is expected after the engine arrives and is ready for service, anticipated in 28-31 months. The district will need to purchase the remaining equipment for outfitting the engine before its arrival. Formal authorization to purchase the equipment will be sought closer to the expected arrival date.
Join the Zoom Meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85146092615?pwd=zhl3bWaubYOGCcVejTOb66TtQW1D9R.1
View the agenda item at: https://templetoncsd.org/DocumentCenter/View/2153/Fire-Engine-Purchase-Item
