Owen Sound Purchase of a Fire Truck
Questioning the Logic of Purchasing an 18 Year old Truck Requiring Upgrading
Submitted by Ken Jones
Let me first introduce myself. My name is Ken Jones. My wife (Stella) and I have been residents of Owen Sound for several decades. During my working life I was a proud member of the fire service. My career of nearly four decades includes time with the Etobicoke Fire Department, but mostly as a Fire Services Advisor and Fire Instructor with the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario.
CONTENTION
I contend that the City of Owen Sound has purchased a “backup” aerial that raises many questions including the unwarranted use of taxpayers’ money.
BASIC DETAILS
The apparatus was purchased early in 2024 for $130,000 via an
auction in the USA.
It is a 2007 model which makes it 18 years old.
The city placed a maximum expenditure on the unit at $400,000
As purchased, it was in need of a complete and in-depth refurbishment. Costs, besides the actual refurbishment includes: Canadian adaptation, import/export broker fees, auction fees and sales taxes (applicable Ohio State and Provincial taxes) and any travel/accommodations etc for city staff to “negotiate” the refurbishment cost while in Ohio.
The unit was expected to be in Owen Sound by the end
of 2024. Several months since the expected arrival date have passed and the unit has
yet to arrive.
The city will be requested to publicly indicate (in a very detailed fashion) all
the costs associated with the purchase.
It is truly difficult to understand why the city would enter into an agreement
WITHOUT KNOWING the final cost to taxpayers.
JUSTIFICATIONS
Seemingly council was convinced that the purchase was needed for two prime reasons. It was suggested that not having the backup aerial “could” impact insurance rates and that “fire insurance grading recognition may be revoked” and “This could negatively impact insurance rates”. The word “will” was never used.
I requested documentation to support these statements without a response. Furthermore, another justification was that the unit would be designated as a “reserve aerial truck” and it would “see its fair share for use as the department plans to rotate all of the apparatus through frontline service” to save on wear and tear on apparatus. That policy would result in the $2.1m aerial purchased a few years ago spending time sitting idle so a 2007 model unit (with less capabilities) rotates to a first response position.
I have asked some very basic questions regarding the use of the aerial apparatus in the OSFD fleet. I asked the fire chief to indicate the number of responses (in a 12 month period) where the aerial was actually utilized for: rescue, fire suppression, exposure protection, access to areas above and below grade etc. I never received a response.
Readers should be aware that reasonably comparable municipal fire departments (who a larger and more active) such as Collingwood, Orangeville and Orillia do not have a “backup aerial” but rather have in service Rescue Units. Owen Sound does not have such a unit but there appears to be plans to purchase one in the future.
CONCERNS
So, what happens if the overall cost for the unit exceeds the $400,000 maximum limit? One offering by a council members was: “we would simply sell it to someone else” … that would be difficult and concerning.
The Corporate Services Committee (a Standing Committee) has a “MANDATE” to provide advice and recommendations to Council on Fire Department policies, programs and services yet, the purchase of the unit was never discussed at any meeting.
I feel confident if the Corporate Services Committee had been involved there would have been discussions/debates and opportunities to research and reach out to the community for input. I believe the purchase in question would not have been made if it had been presented to the committee. So why was the Corporate Services Committee not utilized?
I can assure you that taxpayers and a number of fire services officials have been in contact with me and reflect what I put to print. The general response has been along the lines of “you have to be kidding me” and “WHY?”
It is very important for me to clearly state that none of my correspondences reflects negatively on the efforts and dedication of the rank-and-file members of the Owen Sound Fire Department. I do have real concerns about the lack of accountability, the lack of transparency, and lack of communications with our elected officials and some senior staff.
I am open to any questions or comments to my correspondence. I can be reached at: kenstel@wightman.ca
Regards,
Ken Jones
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Email Members of Council and ask them why the full cost was not presented at the time the purchase was approved. As well what will the total cost be and why delivery is 11 months late?
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