TAMRMS#: B05
5.1
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FIRE-035 - Type 6 Brush Truck Funding
Notice given by: Councillor Hughes
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
recommendation
That FIRE-035, Type 6 Brush Truck for $275,000 is funded from the capital reserve with the intention of repurposing the current Type 7 Brush Truck for a Community Response Unit, if possible.
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Administration’s Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
If passed, Administration will start the process to procure a Type 6 Brush Truck and further explore the opportunity to convert the current Type 7 Brush truck into a Community Response Unit. Should Administration deem the conversion viable, and if additional funding is required for the conversion, a request will come back to Council during the 2027 budget deliberations.
SUMMARY
The purchase of a new Type 6 Brush truck replaces one that is only able to respond with half the normal water capacity. It also provides an opportunity for Administration to review the viability of converting the surplus asset that would remain, into an Emergency/Community Response Unit.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Fire Services currently has two Brush trucks in its fleet. One brush truck (Type 7) does not have the gross vehicle weight capacity to be operated with a full tank of water. As a result, operational adjustments had to be made so that the vehicle could be used safely. These adjustments mean that when this vehicle responds to a brush fire it can only do so with half a tank of water.
Purchasing a proper purpose-built Type 6 Brush Truck will allow for a Fire Services to respond (at both ends of the City) to a Brush Fire with a full tank of water.
If a Type 6 Brush Truck is purchased, the existing 2019 Chevrolet 2500 truck (currently well-maintained with approximately 35,000 km) presents a strong opportunity for repurposing it rather than selling the low-mileage asset, as it could be converted into a dedicated Emergency Response Unit (ERU) / Community Response Unit (CRU).
In terms of the merits for the use of an ERU/CRU, Administration believes that there may be efficiencies and longer-term costs savings opportunities if this type of unit were to be utilized instead of deploying a Fire Engine for Medical First Responses.
The concept is that deploying a smaller, more agile $200,000 vehicle for Medical First Responses will reduce the wear, tear, maintenance and increase the life expectancy of the more expensive $1,000,000 vehicle, at the same time as providing as good if not better response times and service. Administration sees this as a tool that can be deployed in the right circumstances without an increase to approved staffing or service levels. These types of units have been successfully converted and deployed in other municipalities.
Transforming the vehicle from a brush/fire response vehicle into a medical response unit requires conversions that would focus on structural modifications for secure equipment storage, enhanced visibility, and medical kit integration. The conversion would draw from proven designs in emergency vehicle upfitting. Key considerations include removing the existing headache rack to accommodate a canopy, mounting a lightbar on the roof as well as other emergency lights that are deemed appropriate, and installing an Opticom system for priority traffic light signaling/control.
The total capital costs to retro fit this asset into an ERU/CRU are estimated to be between $40,000 and $60,000.
Prior to the purchase or conversion of the surplus asset to an ERU/CRU, administration needs to conduct a further review and on any other operating budget impacts. Should the conversion be deemed viable, and determination that additional capital dollars are required, Administration would come back to council during the 2027 budget deliberations.
Administration estimates that if funding is provided for a new Brush Truck, it would not be in service until April of 2027, which provides time for further review on the viability of an ERU/CRU.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
None at this time.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
If approved, the funding of an additional $275,000 from the Capital Reserve will reduce the amount of capital dollars available for future prioritized capital projects as well as emergent capital items.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
The addition of a new Brush Truck would have a positive impact on Fire Response by ensuring that Fire crews can respond to brush fire with full tanks of water from either end of the City.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
The number of wildland fires will continue to rise based on global warming and government predictions. Responding with a half tank of water brings with it some risks should the fire be larger in scale or a delay occurs in terms of refilling.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
F.3.4 Fire Response
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Report Date: December 1, 2025
Author(s): Aaron Giesbrecht, Acting Director Emergency Services / Leigh Sawicki, Acting Fire Chief
Department: Emergency Services
Department Director: Aaron Giesbrecht
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher