Fountain Valley turning up the fire equipment

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- The City Council has approved a proposal that

authorizes the signing of a lease agreement to furnish the Fire

Department with three new fire engines and a ladder truck.

The agreement, which gives the city a purchase option, includes a

fleet management program with the Mercedes-Benz credit corporation and

American LaFrance of Los Angeles.

City Manager Ray Kromer said that it was necessary to look into

getting new fire engines because the city’s existing fleet, which

included a 1979 Seagrave custom pumper that had exceeded its life span,

was due to be replaced. The council staff was instructed to conduct a

needs assessment of the fire apparatus fleet; the results of which

determined that the entire fleet, consisting of three fire engines and a

ladder truck, would need replacement.

Kromer said that in a study session on Dec. 19 council members asked

for more specific information on how effective the program was. In

response, the staff presented a financial breakdown and cost comparison

at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

“One of the major concerns was the high cost of maintenance on the

vehicles,” Kromer said. “We were able to realize that firetrucks don’t

have a 20-year life anymore. It would be more cost-efficient to go into

this lease agreement because of the maintenance program it offers. All

vehicles are covered by a bumper-to-bumper warranty.”

The item, which was approved with a 4-0 vote (Councilman Chuck Conlosh

being absent), was met with caution by council members John Collins and

Laurann Cook, who although seemingly prudent, were eager to have the city

participate in the program. Collins in particular, quizzed city Treasurer

Liz Fox and Fire Chief Bernie Heimos about the financial details of the

lease agreement, after which he cast his vote in favor of the proposal.

“I was very impressed that staff took the initiative in doing

something that was new,” Collins said. “Especially from a financial

perspective, where it will save the residents a lot of money. But also

because it will provide state of the art, modern equipment to service the

fire safety needs of the community.”

Fountain Valley Fire Chief Bernie Heimos was also pleased with the

council’s decision to approve the agreement.

“If we are unable to provide cost-efficient service, then I am not

doing my job,” Heimos said. “This is a great opportunity and I give full

credit to Battalion Chief Craig Laser for tracking down such an

innovative and cost-effective plan for the city.”