Ambulance Replacement

1. FIRE DEPARTMENT
Presented by:
Michael Gdovin
Fire Chief
THE PURCHASE OF A 2019 AMBULANCE IN
REPLACEMENT OF A 2007 AMBULANCE
ITEM # 11
MAY 13, 2019

2. SUMMARY
 Seeking to replace existing Medic 1 ambulance
 2007 Chevy 4500
 EMS units traditionally replaced at 10 year
intervals but extended to 12 years in 2014,
due to a fleet of 3

3. BACKGROUND
 The current unit has incurred maintenance and
repair costs in attempt to repair rear unit
suspension issues
 Lift/Air bags have been replaced by Fire Department
personnel approximately 6 times in the past 3 years.
 The unit is not compatible for a hydraulic suspension
conversion, per the vendor
 The unit has been placed in a reserve status as of
12-09-2018

4. BACKGROUND
 The Tri-City Emergency Medical Services partnership
between Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, and Terrell
Hills currently owns and operates three units.
 It has been the policy of the city to replace these
units every 10 years due to the type of use
 Avoids higher maintenance costs

5. BACKGROUND
 The City uses Frazer Ambulance out of Houston to
maintain a current and similar fleet
 This ensures consistency, as well as familiarity of
equipment for emergency responders.
 Medic 3 (7,706 miles) was placed in service in 2016, and
Medic 2 (26,517 miles) in 2011 from the same vendor
 The retired ambulance, Medic 1 (42,071 miles) will used
as a trade-in to Frazer to offset the cost ($17,000)

6. BACKGROUND
 Expectations of new ambulance
 Module (patient compartment)
 20 years
 Chassis
 10 years

7. POLICY ANALYSIS
 Competitive bid process which is facilitated
through the Houston-Galveston Area
Cooperative
 Ensures that the City remains compliant with laws
concerning competitive bidding
 Truck chassis would be purchased through Mac
Haik Dodge Chrysler Jeep in accordance with
H.G.A.C. rules

8. FISCAL IMPACT
 For FY20, a total of $169,666 was allocated for
this project through the Capital Replacement fund
in which each City contributes
 The cost of the ambulance through Frazer
Ambulance Sales is $167,460
 $2,206 decrease
 Move funding to current Fiscal Year 2018-19

9. FISCAL IMPACT
 Finance Department explored lease purchase
options
 Recommends purchase vs additional fees
 Trade-in value ($17,000) for existing Medic 1
may decrease
 May incur additional expenses due to suspension
issues

10. FISCAL IMPACT
 The new unit should be ready for delivery
within 8 to 9 months of P.O.
 Dec. 2019 / January 2020
 Anticipate that it will enter the front line
rotation in February of 2020