Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 5.D
Meeting Date: April 8, 2026
From: Michael Contreras, Fire Chief
Title: Purchase Two Fire Department Administration Vehicles 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 3 emergency vehicle lighting equipment and Battalion Chief command vehicle upgrades, at a total cost of $197,835.36; and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all required documents for purchase.
BACKGROUND:
The fire department currently has five (5) administration vehicles that are not equipped with emergency apparatus. With the addition of the Deputy Chief and Administrative Battalion Chief position, there is a need to purchase additional vehicles.
Current Fire Department Vehicles
Unit # Year Make Model Assigned To Job
Assignment Take-Home
4101 2009 Ford F-250 Inspector Inspector No
FM-1 2014 Ford Taurus Fire Marshal Plan Review No / Shared B1 2020 Chevrolet Suburban Duty Battalion
Chief Duty Battalion No / Shared
4151 2020 Ford F-250 Fire
Administration Fire Admin No
FC-1 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Fire Chief Fire Chief Yes
During the biennial budget planning, the need for two additional staff vehicles was identified and added to the budget in the amount 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 us to look for a solution to ensure our Battalion Chief can respond timely to fire incidents with a reliable command unit.
With the purchase of two vehicles for fire administration, one for fire administration staff (Deputy Fire Chief) and the second vehicle to replace the existing on-duty Battalion Chief vehicle, it will support operational efficiency, staff mobility, and effective service delivery.
The Deputy Fire Chief is on call 24 hours/day 365 days/year, it is industry standard to provide a code 3 capable vehicle to respond as needed. The second vehicle is being purchased to provide the current battalion chief suburban with a vehicle that can 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 3 emergency lighting packages. The 2500HD Battalion Chief vehicle will additionally receive a full command module including a front center console, iPad docking station, command box with bed slide, and rear tablet mount. All vehicle purchases and outfitting will be completed in this fiscal year.
When the 2026 2500 is placed in service, the current battalion chief command vehicle will remain in service and become the vehicle for the Administrative Battalion Chief’s use for official business.
The acquisition of these 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 the fire service’s mission by enabling administrative staff to manage, support, and enhance frontline fire operations effectively.
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 3 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 April 2026 Jessup Chevrolet $69,106.10 2026 TAHOE 2WD LS April 2026 Riverside Chevrolet $70,879.44 2026 TAHOE 2WD LS April 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 $17,881.28 for both vehicles. The quote has been amended to include the additional Measure B (1%) and Measure W (.5%) use tax to be paid by the City and reported to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
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 $50,355.43 BC Command Upgrades EVS LLC $61,465.84 BC Command Upgrades
Day Wireless Systems $67,597.22 BC Command Upgrades
Staff recommends Apple Valley Fire District as the lowest responsive bidder for the Battalion Chief command vehicle upgrades at $50,355.43.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact for each vehicle is as follows:
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 $17,881.28 for both vehicles
Battalion Chief 2500HD command vehicle upgrades from Apple Valley Fire District LLC for $50,355.43
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2025-2026 Equipment/Vehicle 611-000-000-
000-8800-8807 N/A 197,835.36 One Time
2025-2026 Equipment/Vehicle 611-900-910-
911-7300-7301 N/A (197,835.36) One Time
2025-2026 Equipment/Vehicle 100-300-330-
332-9800-9802 N/A 197,835.36 One Time
2025-2026 Total $197,835.36
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal B: Community Investment
Action B-19: Develop Fleet Management policies to establish vehicle replacements and utilization standards.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CCFE Vehicle Purchase Quotes
2. Dana Safety Quote 613462-D Chevy Silverado 2500
3. Dana Safety Quote 613536-A Chevy Tahoe
4. Apple Valley Command Module Quote
5. EVS Command Module Quote 1589
6. Day Wireless Command Module Quote QO79633
7. Use Tax Memo Dana Safety Supply Quote 613462-D
8. Use Tax Memo Dana Safety Supply Quote 613536-A