TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Dr. Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
Jeffrey A. Yates, ICMA-CM, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Michelle Brooks, Budget Director
Tiffany Murray, Finance Director
Kevin Dove, Fire Chief
DATE: November 10, 2025
RE:Title
Approval of Replacement for Damaged Fire Apparatus
Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: The City of Fayetteville will be a safe and secure community.
Executive Summary:
The Fayetteville Fire Department, in coordination with the Fleet Management Division, recommends the replacement of Ladder Truck Unit 2009/230, a 2009 Pierce Velocity 100-foot rear-mounted aerial. This apparatus has reached the end of its reliable service life, sustained significant structural damage, and no longer meets current NFPA 1901 safety standards for frontline operation.
To ensure continued operational readiness, balanced ladder coverage, and compliance with NFPA and ISO standards, it is recommended to advance the purchase of a 2026 Pierce Enforcer 107-foot aerial using Fiscal Year 2027 capital funds. Advancing this purchase will provide an immediate improvement in service reliability and public safety while mitigating the risks and costs associated with maintaining the aging unit in frontline service.
Background:
Unit 2009/230 has reached the end of its reliable service life after sixteen years of continuous frontline operation. The apparatus has accumulated 67,858 miles and incurred over $466,000 in maintenance expenses, exceeding 55 percent of its original purchase price of $832,747. Additionally, the unit sustained major rear-end collision damage requiring more than $100,000 in structural repairs.
Given its age, high maintenance costs, and structural history, Unit 2009/230 is no longer suitable for frontline service. However, it retains limited operational value and can be reassigned to reserve status to supplement fleet capacity during maintenance or peak demand periods.
Issues/Analysis:
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines, aerial apparatus have a recommended maximum frontline service life of 15 to 20 years. Unit 2009/230 has reached this range and no longer meets current NFPA 1901 safety and stability standards. Continued frontline use of this vehicle increases the risk of mechanical downtime, higher maintenance costs, and operational inefficiencies.
At present, the Fire Department is pumper stable but ladder unstable, indicating that the city’s ladder truck coverage is insufficient to ensure optimal emergency response times and maintain Insurance Services Office (ISO) compliance. Replacing this outdated aerial apparatus will restore balanced coverage, improve reliability, and enhance firefighter and public safety.
A suitable replacement unit is currently available and can be delivered within six months, a significant improvement over the typical forty-month build time for new apparatus. Acquiring this vehicle now provides immediate operational benefits, minimizes downtime, and ensures ongoing compliance with NFPA and ISO standards.
It is therefore recommended that Unit 2009/230 be reassigned to the reserve fleet and that the City Council authorize the purchase of the 2026 Pierce Enforcer 107-foot aerial for Fiscal Year 2026 delivery. This approach provides the greatest operational benefit per dollar spent, ensures continued fiscal responsibility, and reinforces the City’s commitment to public safety, operational readiness, and fleet reliability. Advancing this purchase will strengthen the Fire Department’s ladder coverage capacity, reduce maintenance downtime, and align fleet operations with current NFPA 1901 and ISO standards.
Budget Impact:
A 2026 Pierce Enforcer 107-foot aerial is available for April 2026 delivery at a cost of $1,781,841. Funding for this purchase has been advanced to FY26 on CPO2026-30, making funds available for the purchase in FY26.
Options:
Approve the purchase contract or
Do not approve the purchase contract
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Approve the purchase contract.
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Attachments:
HGAC Contract Pricing Worksheet