Recommend approval of the emergency procurement of an aerial apparatus truck from Sutphen Corporation in the amount of $1,398,950.00. This vehicle will replace one of two fire ladder trucks that recently failed operational testing and yearly inspection. The two trucks also have extensive structural damage. These trucks were manufactured by American LaFrance, a company that is no longer in business. Because repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle and because it takes approximately 14 months to build an apparatus of this type, it is being recommended that the City purchase a unit that has already been manufactured. This is an emergency purchase because Savannah Fire and Emergency Services currently has no aerial reserve units. The loss of one of these units prohibits the department from effectively responding to fires and technical rescues.

Due to the time sensitivity of this matter, four aerial apparatus manufacturers were contacted and asked to provide a replacement aerial apparatus unit to the City. Three responses were received. Of those, two manufacturers did not have the stock meeting the necessary aerial apparatus requirements. Sutphen Corporation was the only manufacturer to reply with immediate availability of a 2017 demonstration aerial unit that met specifications.

Approval