The 2018 Capital Budget includes $285,000 for the replacement of one of three Fire Department Rescue Squads.  A second replacement is currently scheduled in FY2019.  These vehicles are equipped with various specialty equipment needed in daily rescues, such as airbags, jaws of life, and rescue saws. 

The squad scheduled for replacement in FY2018 suffered a catastrophe engine failure early in the year that would not be cost effective to repair at this point in its life cycle.  The unit was removed from services and sold.  Since the failure, a committee comprised of Fire and Public Works staff have worked to complete the design and specifications of the new rescue squad. The build time for the new unit could take 7-8 months from formal approval.  Based on the long lead time and the age of the second fire squad, staff is requesting to purchase both squads in FY2018 to get a start on the build out and avoid future delays on a potential similar failure of the older squad.  The FY2018 Capital Fund can absorb these costs and stay within budget due to some deferrals in the Public Works Fleet budget.

Staff is proposing to purchase the vehicle through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC).  SPC is a joint purchasing program for local communities.  SPC represents 143 municipalities in a six County Area of Northern Illinois, and is administered through the Northwest Municipal Conference. By bidding out common vehicles and services, the SPC is able to offer lower prices through greater economies of scale.  Sutton Ford is the SPC low bidder on this chassis.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board approve the purchase of two 2019 Ford F-550 Fire Rescue Squads in an amount not-to-exceed $568,464 from Sutton Ford, of Matteson, Illinois, and authorize staff to execute the necessary documents.