SUNDRE – The municipal council recently unanimously approved the town’s portion of a substantially increased cost to replace the Sundre Fire Department’s command unit.
The truck, designated Unit 510, is a custom-fitted 2010 Chev 2500 tailored to meet the diverse needs of a rural fire department that responds to a variety of emergencies. The vehicle had been factored into the municipality’s 10-year capital plan for 2023-32 at a previously estimated replacement cost of about $130,000.
“The original estimate provided by suppliers was based on the information they had at the time and the general specifications we were considering,” reads part of the background information outlined in council’s agenda package for the Oct. 2 meeting, which is available in full on the town’s website.
Council heard during the meeting that administration had since then received two formalized quotes with a revised cost of $168,000; a $38,000 increase.
“The formal quotes are now based on specific build parameters which are consistent with the Carstairs command equipment recently purchased,” reads the background.
“When we do the budget, we do get the best estimates that we can,” said Chris Albert, director of corporate services.
“(But) as we go through these processes, sometimes the costs change. Vehicles and fire equipment seem to be the latest thing that are escalating in costs as we go through these processes,” Albert told council.
As per the terms outlined within the fire services sub-agreement with Mountain View County, the cost to replace the Sundre Fire Department’s command truck is split 50-50.
“It is a cost-sharing model,” he said, adding administration recommended approving the town’s portion of the bill at $19,000.
Moving the recommended motion, Coun. Chris Vardas said long-term budgets inherently come with a level of unpredictability.
“When we make our preliminary budgets or a 10-year capital plan, we don’t know the escalating costs. That’s something that’s out of our control,” he said.
Seeking clarification, Coun. Todd Dalke asked about the possibility of providing council and by extension the public with a precise cost breakdown that details what equipment is installed in the truck to justify the price tag.
“I’m no fire expert, but holy,” said Dalke. “That’s a lot money.”
The approximate going rate for a fully-loaded 2024 Chev 2500 4x4 can reach upwards of $95,000, he said, going onto ask for transparency’s sake what kind of equipment is outfitted on the command unit to drive up the cost by another $60,000-plus.
“If you’ve ever seen the fire chief’s current truck, he does have a lot of stuff in the back,” said Albert.
Although he did not immediately have all the specifications available, Albert said the truck includes additional storage units along each side of the box to create space to for example haul wild land gear. That includes items such as generators, pumps, and hoses.
One also needs to account for all of the electronic equipment that must be installed as well; everything from the sirens and lights to the newer Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System, he said.
Coun. Connie Anderson asked if the current command unit’s equipment, such as its radios and lights, could simply be swapped over, but was told that’s not an option.
“With the fire equipment vehicles, basically what happens is the existing command truck will be repurposed to one of the support units,” Albert explained. “So, the new truck does have to be completely outfitted.”
And whichever support unit ends up being swapped out by the outgoing command unit is by this point dated and must be completely decommissioned, he added.
“We’ll have the fire chief come forward and give you a better explanation,” said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer.
Coun. Paul Isaac said he has no doubts that the fire chief knows what he needs and wasn’t questioning the dollar value.
“Increases, we understand that,” said Isaac. “We’re not that naive to think that after a couple of years the price is going to stay the same.”
But the councillor wanted to confirm the purchase won’t go through until the county also approves its portion of the increased cost.
“That is correct,” said Albert.
Mayor Richard Warnock asked about the variance between the two quotes, which Albert described as “very comparable” within roughly $2,000 of one another.
Warnock said increasing costs are a reality of the “world we’re in today” and added he hopes the purchase can be finalized sooner than later to “get the truck ordered before we have an additional increase.”
