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Ramsey, Nowthen, St. Francis, Oak Grove, and Bethel, Minnesota <br />Feasibility Study for Shared or Cooperative Fire and Emergency Services <br />Figure 31: Capital Replacement Planning Summary <br />Agency <br />Number of Average Age Number of Average Age of <br />Engines of Engines Aerials Aerials <br />Ramsey <br />Nowthen <br />2 <br />9.5 <br />1 <br />10 <br />1 <br />24.0 <br />0 <br />N/A <br />Bethel <br />2 <br />19.5 <br />0 <br />N/A <br />St. Francis 2 16.5 0 <br />N/A <br />Calculation of acceptable service lives for fire apparatus varies widely between fire departments due to <br />differing uses, road conditions, maintenance practices and a number of additional variables. In larger, <br />busy, fire departments, a front-line service life of 10 to 15 years is commonly combined with a five year <br />reserve status. In smaller agencies, 15 to 25 years is more commonly found, a portion of which may be <br />in reserve. <br />Fire engines in Nowthen, Bethel, and St. Francis are within approximately ten years of being due for <br />replacement, depending on the chosen service life estimation for each. It is also noted that Oak Grove <br />will be replacing a water tender with a combination pumper/tender this year. <br />Considering fire apparatus replacement from a regional perspective offers opportunities that warrant <br />consideration. Specifically, most of the agencies maintain two fire engines and, in some cases, the <br />second vehicle is in reserve for use when the primary engine is out of service for maintenance. Sharing <br />of reserve apparatus can result in reduced numbers of engines overall and resultant financial savings in <br />replacement, maintenance, and insurance costs. <br />Capital improvement Planning <br />When considering joining multiple agencies into a single entity, it is important to evaluate the future <br />costs that can be anticipated for the replacement of major capital assets. The most expensive capital <br />items that make up a fire department are facilities (fire stations) and major apparatus, including fire <br />engines and aerial ladder trucks. <br />ESCI reviewed capital replacement planning methods in the participating agencies. A variety of <br />approaches are employed, ranging from well planned and appropriately funded replacement schedules <br />to simply meeting capital needs on and as -needed basis. The findings are summarized in the following <br />table. <br />gsnergenry &rmicss Consulting <br />page 37 <br />