Agenda Item #13.4
For Council Meeting of: January 27, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT WESTROPE, FIRE CHIEF
SUBJECT: APPROVAL AND ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER FOR THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT WITH SOLE SOURCE VENDOR WESTERN EXTRICATION SPECIALISTS INC.
AGENDA ACTION: MOTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Fire Department recommends that the Council, by motion: 1) approve the issuance of a purchase order for the purchase of vehicle extrication equipment with sole source vendor Western Extrication Specialists Inc., Simi Valley, California with an amount not to exceed $119,959.00; and 2) authorize the Chief Financial Officer to pay all proper claims from various charge numbers. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The resolution will award a purchase order to Western Extrication Specialists Inc. for a total amount not to exceed $119,959.00 to replace the following vehicle extrication tools: 2 spreaders, 2 cutters, 2 telescopic rams, 2 extension pipes, 10 batteries, and 2 battery chargers, which will update the aging and outdated vehicle extrication equipment currently on the Fire Department ladder trucks. This equipment update will increase the effectiveness of the equipment when dispatched for extrications and rescues and will shorten extrication times leading to better patient outcomes.
GOAL
This item meets Council Goal #1 - Achieve and Maintain Budgeting Excellence and Fiscal Stability through the pursuit of grant funding to offset general fund costs.
This item meets Council Goal #2 - Invest in the Development and Maintenance of the City's Infrastructure through the timely replacement of aging equipment which could lead to injury for victims or personnel.
This item meets Council Resolution No. 2020-002 – The Climate Emergency Resolution goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Current vehicle extrication tools operated by the Fire Department depend upon power from burning fossil fuels while the new tools being purchased under the grant are operated completely through battery technology.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
The Santa Rosa Fire Department currently has two complements of vehicle extrication equipment on the two staffed ladder trucks in the City. Both trucks respond to vehicle extrication assignments on city streets, highways inside and outside the City’s jurisdiction and to incidents on county roadways in neighboring jurisdictions. Unfortunately, the aging equipment can no longer adequately handle the reinforced materials of modern vehicles, which can delay extrications and increase the risk to victims and first responders. The aging equipment also suffers from increasing maintenance and repair costs. Additionally, the aging equipment operates on fossil fuels (gasoline) and as such the old equipment does not benefit from the rapid advances in battery technology. New vehicle extrication equipment runs on battery technology thereby eliminating climate altering emissions.
On January 31, 2025, the Santa Rosa Fire Department applied for the State of California’s Office of Traffic Safety FY 2024 Grant for Emergency Medical Services, which assists grantees in upgrading outdated vehicle extrication equipment to allow for crash victims to receive more rapid medical care. The Department submitted an application for new vehicle extrication equipment to replace the outdated extrication equipment currently in service on both ladder trucks.
In June 2025 the Fire Department was awarded grant funding through the Office of Traffic Safety for two basic complements of vehicle extrication equipment. After notification of award, the Fire Department had the grant agreement reviewed and approved. The minor amount over the award amount of approximately $6,000 will be supplemented by other project JLs to fund the full set of equipment.
ANALYSIS
The extrication equipment brand used within the Fire Department and by local agencies surrounding Santa Rosa is Holmatro, which allows for increased operability and seamless training between different companies in the city and between neighboring agencies. The increased interoperability and seamless training leads to better familiarity with the tools and their operation thus reducing extrication times which produces better patient outcomes while limiting risk and injury to personnel operating the tools. Holmatro extrication equipment can only be purchased through a sole source vendor, Western Extrication Specialists. Western Extrication Specialists are the only factory authorized sales and parts provider for Holmatro extrication tools within the State of California.
This item meets Council Resolution No. 2020-002 – The Climate Emergency Resolution goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Current vehicle extrication tools operated by the Fire Department depend upon power from burning fossil fuels while the new tools being purchased under the grant are operated completely through battery technology.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY2024 OTS Emergency Medical Service grant award has no local match requirement, and the remainder of the purchase of about $6,000 will be funded from other project JLs once the grant award amount has been exceeded. There will be no impact to the general fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the recommended action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the recommended action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the recommended action may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Grant Agreement
Attachment 2 – Sole Source Letter
Attachment 3 - Quote
PRESENTER(S)
Scott Westrope, Fire Chief
Matthew Gloeckner, Division Chief- EMS
Sara Roberts, Administrative Analyst
APPROVAL AND ISSUANCE OF A PURCHASE ORDER FOR THE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT WITH SOLE SOURCE VENDOR WESTERN EXTRICATION SPECIALISTS INC.
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