Welcome to Austin County Emergency Services District #1

Just as technology changes in the private sector, technology evolves in the fire service as well. The equipment the SFFVFD uses is regularly upgraded using the National Fire protection Association (NFPA) standards. There is also the possibility of equipment being damaged during an emergency or training. This equipment must be replaced and comply with the latest standards. If vehicles are not replaced on a regular basis this can affect ISO ratings and develop an increase in the cost of vehicle maintenance and repairs. As an industry standard, the typical life span for a fire engine is 15 years. A strategy needs to be implemented to replace this equipment on a regular basis, either through the budgetary process or capital planning. 

A Brush Truck, depending on make and model, can cost between $90,000 to well over $150,000. It’s the first out of the station and first on scene. It is used for size up, fighting grass fires, and rapid engagement of motor vehicle accident or other response scenes. 

A Fire Engine is the vehicle used to pump water through large capacity hose and supply firefighters at the fire scene. The cost of a Fire Engine is between $200,000 and $800,000, or greater.

A Water Tender/Water Tanker is used as a water transporter. Tender’s usually carry 2,000 to 5,000 gallons of water. It is a water source in rural areas without a hydrant system. It is like an Engine but sacrifices storage to enable the vehicle to carry a greater amount of water. The cost of a Tender is between $300,000 and $800,000.

Hose is carried on all firefighting equipment. Hose is an item that suffers damage the most on a fire line. The cost of a length of hose depends on its diameter. One-inch hose is used on grass fires. The cost of one 50-foot length is $150. 1 ¾-inch hose is carried on all vehicles. The cost of one 50-foot length is $300. 2 ½-inch hose is carried on all vehicles. The cost of one 50-foot length is $300. 4-inch hose is carried on Engines and Tenders and used as supply lines from a hydrant to an engine or when supplying another engine at a fire scene. The cost of one 100-foot length is $1,223.00.

Communication Cost

The current contract price of a portable Motorola APX (handheld) radio is $3,143.30 Communication is critically important on a fire scene, from the first-arriving size-up of the fire until the fire is declared out. Good communication maintains the safety of every firefighter on scene.

Fuel Cost for the year 2022

Inflation has cut deep into the Fire Department’s yearly finances. A rise in the number of emergency responses, along with a higher cost of diesel, amounted to more than doubling the expense of fuel for the year, well above what had been anticipated when considering budget expenses in August 2021.

The increase of equipment cost during the year 2022

Equipment cost is another area that inflation has hit hard. The cost of structure gear (Turnouts) rose by 18% in the first quarter of 2022.

The Fire Department was also advised that SCOTT Air Packs and replacement air bottles had risen in cost. The average cost of an air pack is now $6,300 each. NFPA compliant breathing apparatus and bottles are mandatory for fighting fire inside a structure or fighting a vehicle fire because of the toxic material being produced.

The cost to outfit a firefighter for fighting a grass fire, according to U.S. Forest Service, increased to $2,700 in 2022.