ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Fire Item No: C6
Prepared by: Maia Hodge, Management Analyst Meeting Date: January 27, 2026 Approved by:
Gerard Washington, Fire Chief
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar S
UBJECT: PURCHASE OF THREE FIRE ENGINES
RE
COMMENDATION:
1. Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026- , approving the purchase of three fire engines from South C
oast Fire Equipment, Inc.
2. Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026- , amending the operating budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27.
CO
RRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety and Fiscal Responsibility.
P
RIOR ACTION: On June 10, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025- 102, approving the Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 Operating Budget (Vote: 5-0).
O
n June 28, 2022, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2022 -105, approving the purchase of two Pierce Fire Engines from South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc. (Vote: 4-0, Ritter not present).
S
TATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The Fire Department is proposing the purchase of three replacement Enforcer Pierce Triple Combination Pumper Fire Engines from South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc. The Department currently operates five frontline fire engines, three of which are scheduled for reserve status in 2030. Ordering three replacement engines now will ensure the manufacturer’s lead time of 49 to 52 months is met and that delivery aligns with the planned retirement of three reserve engines in Fiscal Year ( FY) 2029/30.
The D
epartment’s equipment replacement schedule for fire engines is 12 years. After 12 years, the engines remain in reserve status until they are retired. Three of the current frontline engines will transition to reserve status when the new engines arrive, and three reserve engines will be retired. This planned cycle supports operational readiness and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
Fi
re Department and Public Works staff evaluated community needs to ensure the new engines can access all areas of the City and the Vista Fire Protection District and are equipped with the necessary firefighting capabilities. Staff also reviewed repair and warranty histories among multiple fire apparatus manufacturers, including availability of replacement parts, repair costs, and potential downtime. Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. maintains an authorized repair facility in Southern California, which supports warranty and service needs of Pierce engines purchased through South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approved above recommendation, adopted the following: 1) City Council Resolution No. 2026-12.
Vote: 5-0; 2) City Council Resolution No. 2026-13. Vote: 5-0