Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 5.C
Meeting Date: March 11, 2026
From: Michael A. Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: Fire Department Purchase of Two Vehicles for Fire Administration RECOMMENDATION:
To authorize the purchase of one (1) 2026 2500 HD Custom Crew Cab 4x4 Gas and one (1) 2026 Tahoe 2WD LS Gas for the Fire Department administration, including the outfitting of both vehicles with code three emergency lighting and the Battalion Chief command vehicle upgrades, at a total cost of $196,083.39; and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all required documents for purchase.
BACKGROUND:
During the biennial budget process, two Fire Department vehicles were identified as being needed for fire administration to serve the newly created staff administration Battalion Chief and Deputy Fire Chief positions, with a total estimated cost of $154,000. After the approval of the biennial budget, the current on-duty Battalion Chief command unit went out of service several times for repairs, requiring the Fire Department to look for a solution to ensure the Battalion Chief can respond timely to fire incidents with a reliable command unit. The purchase is now intended to meet this need by purchasing a new vehicle for the on-duty Battalion Chief and to retain the existing Battalion Chief command vehicle for use by the staff administration Battalion Chief.
It was subsequently determined these two vehicles are additional vehicles, not replacements to the existing Fire Department fleet, and require a budget adjustment. This is further discussed in the Fiscal Impact section.
The Deputy Fire Chief is on-call 24 hours a day 365 days a year, it is industry standard to provide a code 3 capable vehicle to respond as needed. The new Battalion Chief command vehicle is intended to meet the future command needs of the department, including incident management and commanding specialty incidents, such as swift water rescue, technical rescue and hazardous material responses, as well as day-to-day duties. Both vehicles will be outfitted with code three emergency lighting packages. The 2500HD Battalion Chief vehicle will additionally receive a full command module including a front center console, iPad docking stations, command box with bed slide, and rear tablet mount. All vehicle purchases and outfitting will be completed in this fiscal year.
The acquisition of two vehicles ensures continuity of operations, allows for simultaneous administrative duties to be carried out, and allows for the expanded mission needs within the Fire Department. This investment directly supports operational efficiency, staff mobility, and effective service delivery.
DISCUSSION:
Staff is recommending the purchase and outfitting of one (1) 2026 2500 HD Custom Crew Cab 4x4 and one (1) 2026 Tahoe 2WD LS for the Fire Department administration, including code three emergency lighting for both vehicles and Battalion Chief command vehicle upgrades for the 2500HD.
City Fleet obtained the quotes from the following vendors:
Company Price Vehicle Model Availability
Quality Chevrolet $61,120.51 2500HD Custom Crew Cab 4X4 Gas April 2026 Jessup Chevrolet $65,011.53 2500HD Custom Crew Cab 4X4 Gas April 2026 Riverside Chevrolet $70,743.24 2500HD Custom Crew Cab 4X4 Gas May 2026 Company Price Vehicle Model Availability
Quality Chevrolet $68,478.14 2026 Tahoe 2WD LS March 2026 Jessup Chevrolet $69,106.10 2026 Tahoe 2WD LS March 2026 Riverside Chevrolet $70,879.44 2026 Tahoe 2WD LS March 2026 All quotes submitted are for 2026 vehicles with included tax, delivery charges, and rebates.
Staff obtained quotes for the code three emergency lighting package from Dana Safety Supply at a combined cost of $18,889.11 for both vehicles.
Staff obtained the following quotes for the Battalion Chief 2500HD command vehicle upgrades, including front center console, iPad docking stations, command box with bed slide, and rear tablet mount:
Company Price Description
Apple Valley Fire District $47,595.63 BC Command Upgrades Emergency Vehicle Systems LLC $59,009.92 BC Command Upgrades Day Wireless Systems $67,404.50 BC Command Upgrades
FISCAL IMPACT:
Since these two vehicles are additions to the Fire Department fleet, the fiscal impact for each vehicle will require a budget adjustment to the Fire Department budget:
:
2026 2500HD Custom Crew Cab 4x4 Gas from Quality Chevrolet of Escondido for $61,120.51
2026 Tahoe 2WD LS Gas from Quality Chevrolet of Escondido for $68,478.14 The outfitting of code three light package from Dana Safety Supply totaling $18,889.11 for both vehicles
Battalion Chief 2500HD command vehicle upgrade from Apple Valley Fire District for $47,595.63
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2025-2026 Equipment/Vehicle 611-000-000-
000-8800-8807 N/A $196,083.39 ONE TIME
2025-2026 Equipment/Vehicle 611-900-910-
911-7300-7301 N/A ($196,083.39) ONE TIME
2025-2026 Equipment/Vehicle 100-300-330-
332-9800-9802 N/A $196,083.39 ONE TIME
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal B: COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Action B-19: Develop Fleet Management policies to establish vehicle replacements and utilization standards.
ATTACHMENTS:
CCFE Vehicle Purchase Quotes
Dana Safety Quote 613462-C
Dana Safety Quote 613850
Emergency Vehicle Systems Estimate
Apple Valley Fire District Estimate
Day Wireless Estimate