The Folsom City Council has approved the purchase of a new fire truck, a critical addition to the city’s firefighting fleet. During its most recent meeting Tuesday, the council unanimously passed Resolution No. 11239, authorizing the purchase of a Pierce Velocity PUC Type 1 fire engine from Golden State Fire Apparatus Inc. The purchase price of the new fire engine is $1,241,742, not including a 5% contingency amount.
The new fire engine, slated for Station 37, will be a key asset in the Fire Department’s efforts to maintain safety and quick response times in Folsom. This vehicle, which features a 500-gallon water tank and a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump, will replace the city’s oldest Pierce Velocity engine, which will be moved to reserve status.
The engine’s build is expected to take approximately 48 months, with delivery anticipated by August 2028. The purchase is part of the Fire Department’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operating Budget, and it follows extensive research by department staff to ensure the best product was selected at the most competitive price. The procurement will be made through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program (HGACBuy), which is expected to save the city an additional 5% off the lowest bid price.
The approved contract with Golden State Fire Apparatus Inc. sets the purchase price of the fire engine at $1,241,742. Additionally, a 5% contingency of $62,087 has been included, bringing the total authorized expenditure to $1,303,829. Funding for the purchase has already been secured in the Fire Department’s budget, ensuring no additional financial strain on the city.
In addition to the new fire engine, city council also moved forward and approved the purchase of a new 12-yard vacuum/sewer cleaning truck to enhance the city’s ability to maintain its sewer system and respond to needs across the city. Resolution No. 11245, authorized the purchase of the vehicle from Pape Machinery, Inc. for $710,848.
The new truck will join the city’s Environmental and Water Resources Department fleet, playing a crucial role in the Wastewater Collection Division’s preventive maintenance program and emergency response. The current vacuum/sewer cleaning truck, purchased in 2010, has logged over 5,366 engine hours and is facing longer response times due to the city’s growth.
The addition of a second truck will allow the city to station the vehicles in different locations, reducing response times and extending the lifespan of both trucks. This new equipment is essential for protecting public health and ensuring compliance with the city’s Sewer System Management Plan, according to the staff report presented at Tuesday’s meeting.
The purchase is being made through Sourcewell, a national cooperative purchasing organization that the city of Folsom frequently utilizes for large acquisitions. With $381,000 already allocated in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Wastewater Operating Budget, the council also approved an additional appropriation of $330,000 to cover the full cost of the truck.