2026.05.18 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Truck Consolidation Model: Past replacement practices of the Fire Department have been to maximize the use of our apparatus and consolidate two trucks into one for multipurpose trucks. Examples: In 2019 with Ladder 1 by buying a pumper/ladder vs an engine and a ladder and in 2008 by building Engine 1 as a pumper/tanker instead of an engine and a tender. Both trucks reduced trucks in our fleet. We intend to follow that practice again with two more trucks, consolidating three trucks into two. By doing this consolidation model, the City of Hugo could consider lowering the expected replacement costs to large fire apparatus and it should be expected that overall annual and long-term operating costs will be reduced. Upfront savings would also be up to $1.5 million dollars by not building a second large apparatus and long-term costs are even greater. Pumper/Tanker: Much thought was given to combining Rescue 1 and Tender 1 into a pumper/tanker with heavy rescue capabilities. The pumper/tanker would resemble our current Engine 1, which plays a significant role in rural water operations. I have consulted with our ISO representative, and it is believed that by doing this we should expect better use of points towards our ISO audit. The cost of a newly built pumper/tanker is currently $1.2- $1.5 million. Brush/Rescue: Combining part of Rescue 1 and Brush 2 into a brush/light rescue truck has been considered. The Fire Department no longer has a need for a dedicated rescue truck. The needed rescue capabilities can be consolidated with a brush truck. This truck would have a tank and pump for brush fires along with storage cabinets for medical and light rescue equipment. By doing this, we would again be consolidating our resources and utilizing a smaller truck to respond to many of our emergency calls. In 2025, the fire department responded to 204 medical calls and 7 brush fires. With this proposed brush/light rescue truck, we could have used it to respond to at least 43% of our emergency calls last year. The intent is to limit the use of larger, very expensive fire apparatus to minimize costs to the City of Hugo. The recommended brush/rescue truck is a 2024 Ford F550 diesel with a 300-Gallon slide-in brush skid unit, a pump, and fully enclosed compartments for equipment storage. It is being manufactured by CET in Canada. This is a new build that was delayed due to another department canceling an order. We have been in discussions with Fire Safety USA to purchase this truck for $250,000.00 and can expect to take delivery in July of 2026. Research has shown us that similar trucks would cost over $310,000.00 and take up to two years for delivery. I have spoken with the finance director, who indicated there are sufficient funds available in the CIP for this purchase. It should also be anticipated up to $6,000.00 in additional costs for radio mounting, graphics, undercarriage protection, and miscellaneous items to make this truck operational. Maintenance: The City’s Mechanic, Steve Garcia, is recommending the City consider replacing our fire apparatus on a different schedule due to Minnesota winters and the deterioration of the undercarriage and exposed components. The staff is recommending rescheduling each of our large apparatus to a 25- year max life schedule and adding a re-chassis of each model at that time if manufacturers would allow it. One thing to note is that Steve conducts an annual vehicle assessment to rate our equipment, and our heavy rescue truck has been declining in his rating, currently at 3.5 out of 5. By moving to a consolidation model, it should be expected that overall maintenance costs will go down. Steve recommends we sell Rescue 1 now to maximize its resale value before it declines further.