What happens when a city’s priorities are in conflict? The City of Tulsa is a prime example of what happens when a metropolitan fire department’s apparatus fleet is sacrificed for other infrastructure priorities. The unfortunate reality is that the department did not purchase a fire truck for twelve years. The result is firefighters responding in 25-year old apparatus, unreliable reserves, and a slow replacement process. How could this happen? In this session, Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker discusses the history of the crisis, the impacts on operations and budget, and ultimately the impact upon the department’s culture. Participants will not only hear a cautionary tail leading to an unprecedented crisis, but also learn how to look for the hidden impacts for poor planning and stressed municipal funding.
Learning Objectives:
The participant will gain an understanding of how an apparatus purchase planning process is essential for their department and how that the failure to prepare for essential needs of the fleet could potentially result in an inability to deliver service.
Participants will be able to describe a generally accepted fire service fleet replacement timeline and understand the variables associated with a failure to maintain consistent purchasing.
Students will gain clarity on the risk associated with a failed purchase strategy and be able to recognize the need to adapt strategies for ensure success.
Students will explore creative alternatives to funding, purchase, and general solutions to overcome a fleet crisis.
