The San Angelo City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new aerial ladder truck for the city’s fire department and authorized an application for a federal staffing grant during its meeting Tuesday, while also reviewing a long-range capital improvement plan that identifies more than $1.1 billion in infrastructure and facility needs.
The council approved a $2.35 million contract with Siddons-Martin Emergency Group for the purchase of a 100-foot Pierce Enforcer Mid-Mount Aerial Platform truck. The vehicle will replace the ladder truck currently assigned to the Central Fire Station.
Fire Chief Patrick Brody told council members the department’s existing ladder truck has exceeded its expected service life and that current manufacturing timelines make immediate action necessary.
“Life expectancy on a ladder truck is approximately 15 years. NFPA sets that standard for us,” Brody said. “We’re at 16 years. With the current production schedule with all manufacturers, it doesn’t matter which one you pick. Chevy, Ford, Dodge, they’re all the same. You’re looking anywhere for a custom built truck 42 to 48 months. That puts that truck at approximately 20 years old before we can get a replacement if we purchased it today”
“So if you want to talk about is this a good deal and why are we doing this now, that’s the biggest reason we’re doing this now because we have an opportunity for a stock truck that do not come around very often with the delivery of approximately 12 months. Huge difference.”
The truck will be funded through the city’s general and intergovernmental fund balances.
Mayor Tom Thompson asked what would happen to the current ladder truck once the replacement arrives.
“Anytime we go to replace a vehicle, it traditionally goes from frontline to reserve,” Brody said.
“And we can get another 10 to 15 years out of that reserve status because it’s no longer getting beat up day in and day out running front line. And then once it spends a period of time in reserve, then we look at selling it.”
Brody also noted that the purchase price came in below expectations.
“We’re coming in about a $150,000 less than what I was actually anticipating,” he said.
The council unanimously approved the purchase.
Council members also unanimously approved a measure authorizing the Fire Department to apply for a Federal Emergency Management Agency Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, or SAFER, grant. According to city documents, the grant program is designed to help fire departments increase or maintain staffing levels by providing federal funding for firefighter personnel costs over a three-year period. FEMA covers 75% of eligible personnel costs during the first two years and 35% during the third year.
City staff said the grant application is intended to help prepare for future staffing needs associated with the planned addition of Fire Station No. 9. If awarded, the grant would help offset the initial costs of hiring additional firefighters and expanding emergency response services.
During the meeting, the council also held a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan. Finance Director Jonathan Flores said the five-year plan currently includes 129 projects with a combined estimated value of approximately $1.1 billion.
According to Flores, the plan includes 40 active projects totaling $236 million, 17 planned projects valued at $105 million and 72 proposed projects estimated at $761 million. The Capital Improvement Plan serves as the city’s long-term roadmap for infrastructure investments and includes projects involving streets, water systems, drainage improvements, parks, facilities and facility upgrades.
The process was formally implemented in 2007 and is required under the city charter.
No action was taken on the Capital Improvement Plan during the meeting. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted through June 10 and forwarded to the City Council for consideration.
