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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 />Capital Replacement Planning <br />Planning for long term replacement of capital assets was identified as a shared need between all of the <br />agencies. Four of the five cities have replacement schedules in place for fire apparatus, which is <br />commendable. Limited planning has been completed with regard to fire stations and other fixed <br />facilities. Approaching planning from a regional perspective offers opportunities for cost savings and <br />operational efficiencies. <br />Regional Capital Replacement Planning I Timeline: Short term <br />Objective: Adjacent agencies should work together to adopt a regional capital replacement plan that <br />adequately funds the purchase of future apparatus. Outside regional cooperation, each city should adopt <br />such a plan. <br />Summary Background: Each fire department uses and maintains a variety of emergency apparatus types. <br />Among the common types of apparatus, each department uses equipment of different makes, models, <br />and configurations. A standard specification and procurement process for each apparatus type would <br />result in lower cost, faster production, and training efficiencies. <br />Policy Action: •Assemble data on current department apparatus, including: age, mileage, operating hours, <br />maintenance costs, cumulative down time, and annual test results. Use the information to create a single <br />apparatus refurbishment/replacement plan and schedule. Determine the replacement interval and <br />projected life expectancy of each apparatus. Examine the merits of extending the useful service life of <br />apparatus through rehabilitation and refurbishment. <br />Pro Con <br />• Formalizes capital replacement and identifies <br />it as a priority <br />• Allows for long-range planning for apparatus <br />and equipment replacement <br />• Reduces the need for special financing or <br />bonding to purchase high value items <br />• Will require a substantial investment to bring <br />current fleet up to necessary levels for future <br />funding <br />• Will require additional annual funding to ensure <br />that the plan is fully funded <br />Fiscal Considerations: <br />• Time and effort savings by preparing fewer bid specifications. <br />• Effort avoided by conducting fewer bid processes. <br />• Investigate the letting of apparatus bids for periods longer than one year. <br />• Cost savings in acquiring emergency fire apparatus. <br />• Consider the purchase of stock versus custom apparatus. <br />• Consider leasing versus outright purchase of emergency apparatus. <br />Emergency Services Cnsulting <br />I)) <br />y ,esrI .,, <br />page ITS <br />