Agenda Item Wording:
title
Award Purchase Order to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service- Authorize a purchase order in the amount of $133,893.88 to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service for repairs on Fire Truck 51 and appropriate $133,893.88 from the General Fund.
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Prepared by:
Danny Galindo, Public Works Manager, danny.galindo@visalia.city , 713-4186
Tom Van Grouw, Deputy Fire Chief, tom.vangrouw@visalia.city , 713-4265
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.city , 713-4052
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service in the amount of $133,893.88 for the repairs to Fire Truck 51(222436) and appropriate $133,893.88 from the General Fund.
Summary:
Front line Fire Ladder Truck 51(Unit #222436) was sent for repairs to the contracted vendor, Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service. The cost of these repairs will exceed the annual not-to-exceed amount for Contract No. C25029. Issuing a one-time purchase order for these repairs will allow continued use of the remaining balance of the annual contract for other services.
Background Discussion:
Fire Truck 51 is a 2009 Pierce Quantum 105’ Aerial currently serving as a frontline aerial apparatus until its replacement is constructed and delivered. The replacement Truck 51 was brought to City Council at the regular meeting on October 17, 2022. The replacement was approved and ordered with a 30-month delivery time. The current anticipated delivery and in-service time for the new Truck 51 is by mid-2026. This specialized truck is one of two frontline aerial units capable of delivering 1,000 GPM through a 105-foot elevated master stream. These types of apparatus are essential for fire suppression during large-scale incidents.
Fire Truck 51 primarily serves downtown and central Visalia but is also available to support major incidents citywide. Upon delivery of the new truck, the current Fire Truck 51 will transition to a reserve apparatus role. Reserve apparatus are critical for maintaining operational readiness when frontline equipment is unavailable due to repairs or maintenance. According to the City of Visalia’s Vehicle Replacement Policy, the current Fire Truck 51 is expected to remain operational as a reserve unit through 2029, potentially longer depending on condition.
In addition to its master stream capabilities, Fire Truck 51 carries a cache of specialized equipment only feasible due to its larger size compared to standard engines. This includes:
• Heavy-duty, hydraulic-powered vehicle extrication tools
• Airbags and pneumatic rams for lifting/stabilizing heavy objects (e.g., during vehicle accidents or building collapse)
• Lumber and shoring equipment for trench rescue operations
• A full complement of rope, pulleys, and hardware for high- and low-angle rescues
• Multiple saws and tools for forcible entry and breaching
Repair Justification
Fire Truck 51 was initially sent to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service for suspension and ladder maintenance. After disassembly and detailed inspection, the vendor determined that the scope of required repairs was significantly more extensive than originally anticipated.
• Suspension System: The entire suspension was found to be completely worn out and requires a full rebuild. These repairs cannot be completed in-house, as the City's Fleet Services shop does not have the heavy-duty lifting capacity necessary to safely elevate and work on an apparatus of this size and weight.
• Ladder Assembly: The ladder guides were discovered to be worn and were slowly and unintentionally extending on their own. This condition presents a serious safety risk during emergency operations. Ladder repairs of this nature must be performed by a certified Pierce dealer, as they involve proprietary components and specialized knowledge specific to the manufacturer.
Given that this apparatus will remain in service through 2026 in a frontline role and continue as a Reserve unit through 2029 or longer, staff believe these repairs are critical to ensure the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of the unit. Staff also believe that the level of wear identified during inspection is consistent with the age and mileage of the vehicle (a 2009 unit with approximately 163,000 miles), and reflects normal degradation for an apparatus that has served in a frontline capacity for over 15 years.
Fiscal Impact: The estimated cost of these repairs is $133,893.88. Typically, vehicle repair costs are charged out through Fleet’s operational division. However, due to the amount of the estimated costs, staff is requesting the appropriation of funds from the General Fund to cover the full cost of these repairs.
Prior Council Action: None
Other: N/A
Alternatives: None recommended
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order in the amount of $133,893.88 to Golden State Emergency Vehicle Service for the repairs on Fire Truck 51(Unit #222436), and appropriate $133,893.88 from the General Fund.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 8/18/2025
Attachments: Golden State Repair Order Estimate