Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution accepting the Wildland Fire Vehicle allocation from TIFMAS.
Body
DATE: January 16, 2024
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: James Kubinski, Fire Chie
SUBJECT: Accept the Wildland Fire Vehicle Allocation
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), overseen by the Texas A&M Forest Service, stands as a crucial initiative with a multifaceted approach. Established following Hurricane Ike, TIFMAS integrates grants, training, qualifications, and mobilization systems to harness local resources on a statewide scale. Notably, the Killeen Fire Department has been an active participant since the Hurricane Ike response, consistently contributing to large-scale, all-hazard requests. In a forward-thinking move, the Killeen Fire Department established its Wildland Team in 2019, aiming to provide a deployable resource within the TIFMAS framework. This initiative bore fruit in 2020 when the Wildland Team undertook its inaugural deployment. TIFMAS allocates funds for various purposes, including apparatus (fire response vehicle) allocations, crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of wildland incident mitigation. Participating fire departments earn points based on criteria such as actual deployments, individual qualifications of team members, the number of "Carded TIFMAS Personnel," and department reporting to TXFIRS & Fire Connect. The coveted annual vehicle awards serve as a testament to the dedication and preparedness of agencies, with the highest point earners securing these vital resources.
TIFMAS met on November 1, 2023, at the annual TIFMAS Conference and allocated approximately $2,200,000 of budgeted TIFMAS funds for apparatus grants. A total of four fire suppression vehicles (3 Type III, 1 Type IV) were approved for allocation. The Killeen Fire Department had the highest number of points out of all participating agencies and was allocated one of the Type III suppressions units.
The award package consists of the following:
Type III Suppression Unit (Approximate Value $400,000)
ALL necessary loose equipment (Approximate Value $70,000)
1 Mobile Radio & 4 Portable Radios (Approximate Value $30,000)
The vehicle is delivered to the Killeen Fire Department after final inspection and acceptance by the TIFMAS administrative team and is delivered turnkey, ready to be placed into immediate service. There is no matching cost to be provided by the Killeen Fire Department. However, the fire department would need to budget for annual fuel and maintenance costs which are outlined in the financial impact section of this staff report.
Once accepted, the Killeen Fire Department agrees to maintain the vehicle for 15 years. The vehicle can respond to incidents within city limits and to surrounding communities when requested. The new apparatus will be the first to deploy to TIFMAS activations when requested and, when deployed, the city will still receive reimbursement for vehicle costs incurred while on deployment. The vehicle can be returned to TIFMAS at any time during the 15-year period if the department chooses to no longer participate in TIFMAS with no penalty. Upon completion of the 15-year agreement the City of Killeen will own the vehicle outright with no expectation of returning the vehicle, or proceeds from the sale of the vehicle, back to TIFMAS.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
1. Do not accept the TIFMAS Type lll Engine Allocation and notify TIFMAS. The Vehicle will be granted to the next agency in line.
2. Accept the TIFMAS Type lll Engine Allocation and authorize the Fire Chief to sign the TIFMAS agreement accepting the suppression unit.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
2. Accept the TIFMAS Type lll Engine Allocation and authorize the Fire Chief to sign the TIFMAS agreement accepting the suppression unit.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item conforms to local and state policies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The estimated annual fuel cost will be $6,400, annual maintenance will be $1,800 and the annual repair cost after the warranty expires (after the first year) is estimated to be $8,000.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Recurring Expenditure
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes, additional funds will be included in the General Fund Fire Department fuel account 010-7070-442.41-30 and the vehicle maintenance account 010-7070-442.42-51 during the FY 2025 budgeting process.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes, upon approval of the FY 2025 Budget
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council authorize the Acceptance of the TIFMAS Type lll Engine Allocation
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Finance
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Award Letter
Agreement
Equipment Inventory
Funding Summary
Presentation