COUNCIL AGENDA: 10/28/2025
FILE: 25-1124
ITEM: 3.4
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Mayor Mahan
Vice-Mayor Foley
Councilmember Candelas
Councilmember Cohen
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 10/24/2025
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: Actions Related to the Purchase Order for Fire Apparatuses
RECOMMENDATION
1. Accept the staff recommendations
2. Direct the city manager to make sure staff includes in future fleet purchasing decisions an evaluation of zero emissions options. For fleet purchases that are brought to council, the council memo should include an explanation as to why a zero-emission alternative is not feasible.
3. Include in the T&E presentation that is scheduled in Spring the build-out and funding needs that would be required to support electrification of the fleet in accordance with state requirements and city goals.
4. Explore the feasibility of purchasing more compact fire apparatuses that meet Fire Department capability requirements in future procurements.
BACKGROUND:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
October 24, 2025
Subject: Actions Related to the Purchase Order for Fire Apparatuses
As San Jose continues to pursue its Climate Smart goals, such as city fleet electrification, it’s critical that future fire apparatus purchases and more generally all fleet purchases are evaluated for zero emissions feasibility.
Jurisdictions such as Madison, Wisconsin; Los Angeles; Mesa, Arizona; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; St. Paul, MN; Portland, OR; have all introduced electric fire engines into their fleet over the last few years and now have some experience that can inform San Jose’s evaluation.
Additionally, hydrogen-powered fire trucks are an emerging technology that provides a zero- emission alternative to electrification if needed.
As San Jose continues to urbanize, it would be prudent to explore the potential of procuring fire trucks, engines, and apparatuses that meet Fire Department capability requirements and are more compact and suited to a dense urban environment. More compact equipment would allow for the Department of Transportation to build narrower traffic lanes and tighter turning radii, which we know improve safety by lowering motor vehicle speeds, thereby advancing the City’s Vision Zero goals. Cities such as San Francisco have already begun to purchase shorter trucks that can more effectively handle tight turns and narrow lanes.
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The signers of this memorandum have not had, and will not have, any private conversation with any other member of the City Council, or that member’s staff, concerning any action discussed in the memorandum, and that each signer’s staff members have not had, and have been instructed not to have, any such conversation with any other member of the City Council or that member's staff.