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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the Fire Department and Public Works Department to donate a surplus fire engine, a 2008 Spartan Fire Engine VIN # 4S7AT2F948C059610, to the Sister City of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.
(Matthew Samson, Fire Chief)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Fire Department and Public Works Department to donate a surplus fire engine, a 2008 Spartan Fire Engine VIN # 4S7AT2F948C059610, to the Sister City of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Atotonilco El Alto is a Sister City to the City of South San Francisco. It is located in the central region of the state of Jalisco, México. The Sister City Program began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the program. The mission of the program is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation - one individual, one community at a time.
In the spirit of this mission, the South San Francisco Fire Department (SSFFD) is requesting authorization to donate a retired surplus fire engine to the Protección Civil de Atotonilco El Alto. The Protección Civil is the branch of government in Atotonilco that is responsible for public safety, including fire, medical, and rescue response to the City of Atotonilco El Alto and its surrounding areas.
South San Francisco has a history of supplying surplus emergency vehicles to its Sister City of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico including a 1987 Kovatch Mobile Equipment (KME) fire engine in 2012 and a rescue ambulance in 2018. Both vehicles have served the City of Atotonilco El Alto for years, providing valuable resources which the Protección Civil cannot normally afford to purchase without assistance. Even surplus engines often exceed what smaller public safety agencies in and around the City of Atotonilco El Alto can afford. Both donations included surplus tools and equipment that no longer have significant value for the South San Francisco Fire Department. These tools and equipment are an important component of the surplus donation process as they complement the vehicles and allow the user to take full advantage of the engine and ambulance’s full potential.
As part of the surplus emergency vehicle donation history, the South San Francisco Fire Department has also donated fire engines to both the College of San Mateo and City College of San Francisco. Both institutions received a surplus fire engine and do not have urgent needs for a new fire apparatus at this time.
As part of the fire department’s vehicle replacement schedule, two reserve engines have been identified for replacement this calendar year. These two engines are due to be replaced by two new engines currently under construction with delivery dates in November and December of 2026. Once the fire department takes delivery of these new engines, two current frontline engines will be moved into reserve status, replacing the two that will become surplus.
The two engines identified for surplus are current City vehicles numbered 512 and 504. Vehicle 512 is the oldest engine in the department’s fleet. The 2002 engine has served both frontline and reserve status. Its service was extended as a response to supply chain and repair delays experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicle 512 is not recommended for donation based on its current condition and estimated remaining service life. Fire Department staff recommend this vehicle be placed into the surplus equipment process and decommissioning performed by the City’s Public Works Department.
Vehicle 504, a 2008 engine, is recommended for donation based on its condition and remaining service life relative to vehicle 512. This engine has reached the end of its recommended service life for South San Francisco but remains in usable condition for the Protección Civil de Atotonilco El Alto. The vehicle is still operational and though it does not meet all of the most recent federal emission and safety standards, it can still be a useful vehicle for our Sister City.
The City’s Public Works Department completed a review of the used fire apparatus market. After the removal of all serviceable equipment, the value of vehicles 512 and 504 is as follows:
• Vehicle 512 - 2002 Spartan Gladiator: $7,000.00 to $12,000.00 for a running, usable apparatus
• Vehicle 504 - 2008 Spartan Gladiator: $8,500.00 to $15,000.00 for a running, usable apparatus
These values remain estimates, as an actual sales price wouldn’t be known until an auction is completed via a third-party surplus fire engine service. Additionally, the City’s Finance Department performed a depreciation evaluation of both vehicles 512 and 504. Both have been confirmed to be fully depreciated as of 2023.
If the City Council approves the donation of this ambulance, the Fire Department, Public Works, the South San Francisco Sister Cities Association, and the Mexican Consulate will work together to transfer title to our Sister City of Atotonilco El Alto.
The City’s current Administrative Instruction does not specifically identify a process to surplus or donate fleet vehicles. Without a specific, defined, process, Fire Department staff are requesting evaluation and approval for this donation.
FISCAL IMPACT
By choosing not to publicly auction vehicle 504, the City would be electing to forgo collecting the estimated value of the engine. The only additional cost, outside of staff time to facilitate the transfer and relabeling the unit with an estimate of $1,000, is the transport of the ambulance to Atotonilco El Alto. Fire Department staff have secured a delivery quote of not to exceed in the amount of $15,214.00. This cost would be funded by the fire department’s unrestricted donation account and supported by the South San Francisco Sister Cities Association.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES ACTION PLAN
This request is in alignment with the Welcoming and Connected Community major focus area, as it will continue strengthening the relationship with our Sister City of Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.