33 / 260
19
considers the fleet maintenance process managed by CAL FIRE a
Best Practice
from which both
the City and District benefit. In recent years CPSM has observed many municipalities deferring
the purchase of expensive fire apparatus, ambulances, and other capital equipment in the
wake of shrinking revenues.
We estimate that, in 2016, the average age of first-line engines utilized by CAL FIRE was 5.6 years
and its primary reserve engines averaged 18 years of service. The age and upkeep of these
apparatus are exceptional and a tribute to the management and mechanical staff in
maintaining this level of commitment. It has been CPSM’s observation that most fire departments
anticipate a useful working life of fire engines to be 15 years in frontline service followed by five
to seven years in a reserve status (a useful life expectancy of 20 to 22 years).
TABLE 3-7: SSCCFD and Morgan Hill Apparatus Inventory
Unit
Type
Make
Year
Age
Engine 67 (Sta. 1- HQ Monterey Rd)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
2008
8 years
Engine 68 (Sta. 2 Masten)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
2010
6 years
Engine 69 (Sta. 3 Treehaven)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
2015
1 years
Engine 57 (Sta. 4 El Toro)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
2013
3 years
Engine 58 (Sta. 5 Dunne Hill)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
2013
3 years
Ladder 57 (Sta. 4 El Toro)
Type 1/Ladder
Pierce
2013
3 years
WT 67 (Sta. 1- HQ Monterey Rd)
Type 1/Tender
Pierce
2000
16 years
WT 68 (Sta. 2 Masten)
Type 1/Tender
Pierce
2002
14 years
Wildland 658 (Sta. 5 Dunne Hill)
Type 6/Engine
Ford
2013
3 years
Wildland 368 (Sta. 2 Masten)
Type 3/Engine
HME/IH
2015
1 years
Reserve 167 (Sta. 3 Treehaven)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
1994
22 years
Reserve 168 (Sta. 2 Masten)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
1998
18 years
Reserve 169 (Sta. 3 Treehaven)
Type 1/Engine
Pierce
2003
13 years
Battalion 57 (Sta. 4 El Toro)
Command
Ford/F-250
2013
3 years
Engine 1681 (Sta. 31 Pacheco)
Type 3/Engine
INTL
2014
2 years
In a 2004 survey of 360 fire departments in urban, suburban, and rural settings across the nation,
Pierce Manufacturing reported on the average life expectancy for fire pumpers.
1
The results are
shown in Table 3-8.
TABLE 3-8: Fire Pumper Life Expectancy by Type of Jurisdiction
Demographic
First-Line
Service
Annual
Miles Driven Reserve Status
Total Years of
Service
Urban
15 Years
7,629
10 Years
25
Suburban
16 Years
4,992
11 Years
27
Rural
18 years
3,034
14 Years
32
Note:
Survey information was developed by Added Value Inc. for Pierce Manufacturing in, “Fire Apparatus
Duty Cycle White Paper,” Fire Apparatus Manufacturer’s Association, August 2004.
1
Fire Apparatus Duty Cycle White Paper, Fire Apparatus Manufacturer’s Association. August 2004.